tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84595056223781424662018-02-21T21:43:23.822-04:00Journey with a Dancing HorseTeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.comBlogger752125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-6659114784381326362018-02-19T20:35:00.001-04:002018-02-19T20:35:49.507-04:00Living in a Marshmallow World<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's a marshmallow world in the winter</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">When the snow comes to cover the ground</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's time for play, it's a whipped cream day</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I wait for it the whole year round</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It's a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts</span></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">Take a walk with your favorite girl</div></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">It's a sugar date, what if spring is late</div></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">In winter it's a marshmallow world</div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Bing Crosby~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow, I have been able to work Carmen 3 times in 5 days!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday was a snowy day - but the nice light and fluffy stuff that is fun to play in. This morning dawned sunny and warm. It was a beautiful, perfect jewel of a winter day. The snow was fluffy, the sky was blue and the sun was warm. I took the blankets off the horses so that they could enjoy the sun. Every time I looked out the window they were basking.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/27993184_10156266597613593_4243790127335068266_o.jpg?oh=4b5a6a10d4170db5cd5307199ebbbc52&amp;oe=5B01EF36" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="800" height="318" src="https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/27993184_10156266597613593_4243790127335068266_o.jpg?oh=4b5a6a10d4170db5cd5307199ebbbc52&amp;oe=5B01EF36" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dogs were enjoying the beautiful weather as well.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_be9hUK8RE/WotrI04k4dI/AAAAAAAAKXQ/L0Hj2_VjAFkQXz0GKY5UPHIp69rk25EFwCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Band%2Bdarcy_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_be9hUK8RE/WotrI04k4dI/AAAAAAAAKXQ/L0Hj2_VjAFkQXz0GKY5UPHIp69rk25EFwCLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Band%2Bdarcy_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when did Guinness get so much bigger than d'Arcy?&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ashley came out to join me for a ride. Carmen had a ton of energy in the ring. She was very forward but I found keeping my seat bones on the saddle helped to regulate her pace. &nbsp;I have been trying to be very aware of how I'm riding and it's hard to change habits. Especially when you're not in riding shape.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I asked Ashley how she was doing and she said she felt stiff. I told her that I was feeling mushy.Between the two of us we made a perfect rider. &nbsp;Honestly, every time I took my attention off my middle I collapsed it. &nbsp;The good news is that with focus I wasn't too bad.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We took our time warming up at the walk and then I asked her to trot. She was a bit stiff on the right. I realized that she was looking to be a bit upset by me asking her so I made sure that I was simply supportive and helping and not making it worse. I know it's partly her but it's also me- I am not a flexible on the right and I need to work on that. But hey, awareness is the first step, right?&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did have one mini-bolt up by troll corner. I could feel her getting stiff and when a clump of snow hit a post she suddenly went sideways very fast. I called 'heads up' to Ashley and steered her into a small circle, brought her back then carried on into the corner like nothing had happened. Not that she wasn't tense but there was no more issues. I think it's because I didn't freeze (yay me) but stayed active with her. I'm finding it easier to not shorten the reins but push her forward. I don't always succeed but it's getting better.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since she had so much energy I rode it forward. Fortunately, she's also a marshmallow so maintaining endless energy was not in the cards. Phew. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather was so beautiful I actually built up a sweat. Carmen was a bit out of breath and happy to go back to our quiet ride. We did canter in both ways and I have to say that there is a huge improvement over where we were this time last year. She was so much easier to get straight and keep her there. When she tried to speed up I was able to use my seat to bring her back. We played a little with walk-canter-walk transitions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The forecast for this week is looking great too. This winter has been hard because the weather has been so dreary. So being able to enjoy the weather today was great.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt0cCC4etnI/WotsSnmqn5I/AAAAAAAAKXc/a6RqgWwH-6g8ZImQzPmvIOFg4FSQqIUjwCLcBGAs/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt0cCC4etnI/WotsSnmqn5I/AAAAAAAAKXc/a6RqgWwH-6g8ZImQzPmvIOFg4FSQqIUjwCLcBGAs/s320/home.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may be biased but I think that my home looks very pretty in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-12362522789677393462018-02-17T20:56:00.000-04:002018-02-17T20:56:01.570-04:00Staying With MeFinally the weather is allowing me to do some things with Carmen.<br /><br />Thursday was warm(er) (9 degrees celsius) and so I hurried home from work because I wanted to ride. I decided to throw a flake of hay into the field to keep Irish happy while Carmen and I worked. As I brought the hay out both horses started running around like two fools. There was a lot of snorting, prancing and farting going on.<br /><br />In the past I would have tried to stop them. This time I just ignored them and carried on with my chores. When they settled I went and put a halter on Carmen and brought her down to the barn. She was 10 feet tall but came behind me. As we entered the barn I could see that every fibre of her being was telling her to bolt and run. But she never took the slack out of the lead line or pulled back. A fact that I didn't appreciate until later when I was reflecting.<br /><br />&nbsp;As much as I wanted to ride I thought that it might be better to do ground work. &nbsp;I am so glad that I did. Not because she was bad or hyper but because she was 100% with me the whole time. We alternated between lunging and work in hand and she was completely tuned in. I was very very happy with her and glad that I didn't worry about riding and made it about communication.<br /><br />Friday I was off but it rained all day. I consoled myself with baking:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlupbBEUuU8/WojJ79UOKqI/AAAAAAAAKWY/iY0-uF86QjobaKHGGoy-4EQ8-bLIywcUwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlupbBEUuU8/WojJ79UOKqI/AAAAAAAAKWY/iY0-uF86QjobaKHGGoy-4EQ8-bLIywcUwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5503.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Ed: "what are you making now?"(exasperated tone)</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Me: "molasses bread"</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Ed: "OH MY GOD. I'M GOING TO BE 300 POUNDS. YOU HAVE TO STOP."</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Me: "I'm bored. Plus I've been looking for a recipe to try. So this is really for science."</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;.SFNSText-Regular&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Ed: inaudible muttering + eye roll.&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And in keeping with current trends, the warm rainy day was followed by a drop in temps and everything freezing. But as sun was out and as the day went on I realized that my ring was thawing and I could ride. This time when I went out into the field everyone was calm and dozing in the sun. As I led Carmen back to the barn she followed along and then put on the brakes and refused to move. I looked back at her puzzled wondering if I would need to do some work on leading when she lifted her tail and had a poop. Her expression was priceless- <i>excuse me for just a second</i>. Then she followed along like a doll.<br /><br />I did set her up to lunge first to be sure that we were still in sync. As you can see she was wild:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSFxEuo-q_I/WojKNMzINRI/AAAAAAAAKWg/m3AewUge1XA6mtGDQK5brFjWiDG0kQ-ZgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSFxEuo-q_I/WojKNMzINRI/AAAAAAAAKWg/m3AewUge1XA6mtGDQK5brFjWiDG0kQ-ZgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5504.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My marshmallow excited to be returning to work. <br />Or dozing in the sun. <br />You decide</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>It was pretty clear that other then using lunging to warm her up (not a bad thing) it was not required for any other reason so I hopped on. I was determined to keep focussed on active riding and not shortening the rein.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>And we didn't do half-bad. Not that anyone watching us would have been impressed at all. We are both clearly out of shape marshmallows and we needed extra time to figure stuff out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>What I did love was that we were able to stay together with only one little spook that was over and done quickly. Otherwise we were able to keep the conversation going. When I asked for her first trot to the right she was tight and considering getting pissy. I know that it's a strength issue so I said '<i>it's okay, I know that you need time to build up&nbsp;strength, don't worry about it, we'll get there'. </i>&nbsp;And right after that she relaxed and let out a breath.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>What's cool about things is that I can see big gains in our relationship. I love that she wanted to run away but didn't. Many times when she sees me she gives a little nicker. It's very quiet and sometimes I can't hear it, just see her nostrils quiver. It's adorable and not <i>always</i>&nbsp;about food.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Now we just need to get in shape.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ccoVs__Djs/WojKH_NfXZI/AAAAAAAAKWc/Mtwml9LRY7kTorkyrOO7L3HSF8h7xqKTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ccoVs__Djs/WojKH_NfXZI/AAAAAAAAKWc/Mtwml9LRY7kTorkyrOO7L3HSF8h7xqKTQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5506.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>hey I'm pretty sure that you still have candy canes in there</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-39642903519496522482018-02-14T19:10:00.000-04:002018-02-14T19:10:51.956-04:00Gearing Up for Spring<a href="https://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2015/02/but-wait-theres-more.html" target="_blank">Three years ago today</a> I tried out Carmen for the first time. It was the first time I had sat on a horse since I lost Steele.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5GR1D_HH6E/VONEB1zg5cI/AAAAAAAAGzU/MIIn5BlUcaYSSJHADLO7Ltariz3L8YB6ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/charlante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5GR1D_HH6E/VONEB1zg5cI/AAAAAAAAGzU/MIIn5BlUcaYSSJHADLO7Ltariz3L8YB6ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/charlante.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bitter cold day in Virginia</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I still can't tell you what made me choose this mare over the other, probably more sensible, choices.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>I have no regrets. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather appears to be easing up and I am getting ready for spring. I am amusing myself in all sorts of ways.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm trying to reconnect with friends and engage in some social activities (*gasp*).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I also decided to stop colouring my hair. I used to colour it for fun and then it became to cover up the grey. I went to the hairdresser and we worked out a plan to let the grey come out without a stripe. So I have highlights:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec8RO0BEbgg/WoS_UgUvo4I/AAAAAAAAKV0/oh_qmQItB0oaAze--s_9qUCiA71peDj1wCLcBGAs/s1600/teresa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec8RO0BEbgg/WoS_UgUvo4I/AAAAAAAAKV0/oh_qmQItB0oaAze--s_9qUCiA71peDj1wCLcBGAs/s320/teresa2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my reverse mid-life crisis</td></tr></tbody></table>I am excited to grow grey with Carmen. Plus I realized how much money I can spend on other things if I'm not colouring my hair (essentially a new saddle pad every 8 weeks but don't tell Ed).&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>My schooling boots finally gave way to I ordered these Tuffrider Belmont Dress Boots:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RP5v1GSh-50/WoS__zNRaOI/AAAAAAAAKV8/hFEGeWDpOW8WdArUpFJGIWD8Tk4SsrcKgCLcBGAs/s1600/27993093_10156248046398593_6254784728696862532_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RP5v1GSh-50/WoS__zNRaOI/AAAAAAAAKV8/hFEGeWDpOW8WdArUpFJGIWD8Tk4SsrcKgCLcBGAs/s320/27993093_10156248046398593_6254784728696862532_o.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no, these are not on the kitchen table. Who would do<br />such a thing? You are clearly imagining things</td></tr></tbody></table>They fit perfectly. My old ones are almost toast- the sole was separating and could not be repaired. I will still wear them at home until they fall apart. I have to say that I do love these boots that are not so hard as traditional dressage boots.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>I also took a big leap and booked a clinic at my place for early May. It's an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2013537538659586/" target="_blank">Equine First Aid with Muscle Health and Stretching clinic</a>. I wanted to go to one last year but the one in my area was cancelled and I couldn't drive to the other ones. So I decided that what made the most sense would be to host it. It should be a lot of fun and educational.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping that the upward trend in the weather continues. Maybe I'll even ride this week.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><span id="goog_2125019771"></span><span id="goog_2125019772"></span><br /><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 233px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 590px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 233px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 590px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div></div></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-92151798388001152142018-02-11T20:51:00.000-04:002018-02-11T20:51:03.251-04:00Heros We're having the warmest February I remember. Which is good. But it keeps raining. So I still can't ride. The frost seems to be out of the ground so maybe that means things will firm up pretty soon and I will be riding soon.<br /><br />In the meantime, let me tell you a story. I have been reading William Shatner's book "Spirit of the Horse: A Celebration in Fact and Fable". It's a fun read- one you can pick up and put down without losing anything. I was reading one story in it and he was talking about how horses are not naturally 'heroes'. That when scared a horse will run away and not try to defend the human.<br /><br />I don't disagree with that but neither do I believe it to be completely true. Let me tell you a story about my first horse.<br /><br />Woody was a small little bay QH. I bought him as a 2 year old. I had no business buying an unbroken horse (long story) &nbsp;and I made a lot of mistakes with him. But he also worked out really well for me. Sometimes fortune favours the innocent. Woody was (still is) one of those horses that you could take anywhere and he was perfectly relaxed.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayo7WwL02WM/WoDfx6ChfqI/AAAAAAAAKVU/IgJCxvwviPsQ86SOnaQG_aepQ-hu4t3gQCLcBGAs/s1600/woody2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayo7WwL02WM/WoDfx6ChfqI/AAAAAAAAKVU/IgJCxvwviPsQ86SOnaQG_aepQ-hu4t3gQCLcBGAs/s320/woody2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photographic evidence that I used to jump</td></tr></tbody></table><br />He loved the trail and it was with him that I learned to love exploring.<br />You could put anyone on him and he would just take care of them.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19BMwXV8Qms/WoDfWu2dFRI/AAAAAAAAKVQ/4SZ6eQHyw4A0g4T705x55NdEgHDYLDnLgCLcBGAs/s1600/woody1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19BMwXV8Qms/WoDfWu2dFRI/AAAAAAAAKVQ/4SZ6eQHyw4A0g4T705x55NdEgHDYLDnLgCLcBGAs/s320/woody1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woody taking a friend for a ride</td></tr></tbody></table><div>When Woody was about 4 I was pasture boarding him for the summer. He was turned out with another horse- an Egyptian Arab. I didn't know much about the Arab other then his owner had trouble with him under saddle and he was considered 'high strung'. I have a few theories about that now but back then I didn't know much and so just accepted that he was 'difficult'.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>One day I was riding late in the afternoon during feeding time so the barn owners asked me to feed both horses when I was done. After &nbsp;my ride I cooled Woody out and led him back to his field carrying the buckets of feed. I put feed in Woody's bucket and then turned to go to the other horse's bucket.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I heard a noise and looked up to see the Arab charging me. His ears were pinned, his head was snaking and his teeth were bared. I was too far from the fence to escape and I remember thinking 'oh shit'. &nbsp;I tightened my hold on the bucket thinking I could throw it at him and hopefully make my escape. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Suddenly Woody galloped up and came to a stop between me and the horse (honestly I can't remember his name!). &nbsp;The Arab tried to circle around to get me and Woody just kept circling me and staying between us. I hurried to the feed bucket and dumped the food and backed away. The Arab dove into the food and forgot me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Woody walked with me to the gate and waited for me to latch the gate before returning to his feed. From that day on every time I brought Woody back to the pasture he escorted me to the gate.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that this sounds made up but this story is 100% true. &nbsp;I have no explanation for this other than Woody was trying to protect me. I honestly believe that I was in serious danger from that Arab and would have badly hurt.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest I am sorry that I sold him. At the time it seemed to be the right decision because he just didn't care for dressage. He's living a great life not far from me so I'm sure he's not pining for me. The people who bought him know that he will always have a stall if he needs it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>What about you- have you ever had a horse that seemed to be protective of you or did something not considered 'normal' for horses?&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><br /><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-61838394781810194932018-02-09T12:22:00.002-04:002018-02-09T12:22:55.565-04:00The Big Meanie<div><br /></div>Hi Everyone, Guinness here.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ibha-6kZUU/Wn3C8sYIccI/AAAAAAAAKTI/ReXLuhtzkGI4i8zN6Dy3qGYSRNQnqT-mwCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ibha-6kZUU/Wn3C8sYIccI/AAAAAAAAKTI/ReXLuhtzkGI4i8zN6Dy3qGYSRNQnqT-mwCLcBGAs/s320/guinness_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mom said that I could do a post and so I want to share with you how mean she can be sometimes.<br /><br />You see I love sticks. Like, I REALLY love sticks.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M--aQ359spU/Wn3Dj256qBI/AAAAAAAAKTQ/2XuoYYuCQAkqAtLVE2hxV6TtpXO3rrReACLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M--aQ359spU/Wn3Dj256qBI/AAAAAAAAKTQ/2XuoYYuCQAkqAtLVE2hxV6TtpXO3rrReACLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom's friend, Cynthia throwing a stick for me.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>It's silly but mom says that I go after sticks too hard sometimes so I might get hurt if I'm not careful.<br /><br />I mean, really. I'm a <i>dog. </i>What does careful even mean?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cl0fpsXqtM/Wn3EZNr7OCI/AAAAAAAAKTc/K5aZ3foMvqkq2Yz9ipIiKTTwow8T4NCkACLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cl0fpsXqtM/Wn3EZNr7OCI/AAAAAAAAKTc/K5aZ3foMvqkq2Yz9ipIiKTTwow8T4NCkACLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">careful is for sissies.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div>But Dad went and bought this stick that is 'safe'.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lwr9imkHK4/Wn3E0JqQjII/AAAAAAAAKTg/EUD7jbtT6X0Cq7lk3WPbkczZFDkK4SyVACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lwr9imkHK4/Wn3E0JqQjII/AAAAAAAAKTg/EUD7jbtT6X0Cq7lk3WPbkczZFDkK4SyVACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5471.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my new stick.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Mom shrugged and said '<i>that won't last'. </i>&nbsp;And then she made it that I could only have it when we went on our walks. That made me really want the stick. I was a dog obsessed.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I had my chance. I managed to work my big brown eyes and convince mom to let me have it when she went out to do 'barn chores'. Now I don't really understand the point of 'barn chores'. Mostly it seems to me to be all about moving horse poo from one place to another. But it gets me outside and it seems to make her happy.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I was so happy to have my stick and I showed my love in the traditional way of chewing.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But I might have gone too far though and she took it away from me and put it on her green machine.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k62BJufXBE/Wn3GnxP1fsI/AAAAAAAAKUA/fncPJZxhh9AXW8cd3GL8PfyBjRmJMxosQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1024" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k62BJufXBE/Wn3GnxP1fsI/AAAAAAAAKUA/fncPJZxhh9AXW8cd3GL8PfyBjRmJMxosQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>um, what just happened?&nbsp;</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I tried the big brown eyes. They usually make her melt.&nbsp;<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR_EJ0QqY_o/Wn3GuTRrNWI/AAAAAAAAKUI/YVGULw-RtIoW1r8qj_BbvNME74jTJhRHwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR_EJ0QqY_o/Wn3GuTRrNWI/AAAAAAAAKUI/YVGULw-RtIoW1r8qj_BbvNME74jTJhRHwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5480.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>pleeease, I'll be good. I promise. Just look at my face. <br />(you can see my sick by the big wheel)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div>She just said&nbsp;<i>'leave it alone'</i>.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujxz1Rq2r94/Wn3GnUP90HI/AAAAAAAAKTw/Py9BCCpxnroJXSfawuBS6aIczUuydHh-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujxz1Rq2r94/Wn3GnUP90HI/AAAAAAAAKTw/Py9BCCpxnroJXSfawuBS6aIczUuydHh-wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5477.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>but but but that's <b>my</b> stick</i></td></tr></tbody></table>I couldn't believe that she could be so mean. It's not like I was going to swallow those pieces. (well not many of them anyway).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to get Ripley's help. She's pretty good at stealing stuff, I figured she could get it for me.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6jmsb_FWs/Wn3JE1scW7I/AAAAAAAAKUQ/eIdWPXVZHkY58yqgCf-YxI_sQbRLJSJKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6jmsb_FWs/Wn3JE1scW7I/AAAAAAAAKUQ/eIdWPXVZHkY58yqgCf-YxI_sQbRLJSJKQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5476.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>hmm, she put it up here?<br />yes! Quick get it for me</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;But she said that it <i>wasn't worth it</i>.<br /><br />It was worth it to me.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QseW66ZkL60/Wn3JIeodmDI/AAAAAAAAKUU/DWIb5ia5thcL1x40M4IZFgmacb_7krJBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QseW66ZkL60/Wn3JIeodmDI/AAAAAAAAKUU/DWIb5ia5thcL1x40M4IZFgmacb_7krJBwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5478.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ripley going back&nbsp;to hunting stupid squirrels.&nbsp;</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFLmOV7wPUc/Wn3KMkccy9I/AAAAAAAAKUk/DGy3eD6hnzETYFso9SkY4YZFj-qRuub1gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFLmOV7wPUc/Wn3KMkccy9I/AAAAAAAAKUk/DGy3eD6hnzETYFso9SkY4YZFj-qRuub1gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5479.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>so close and yet so far</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div>I had to give up. Mom was being really really unreasonable about it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately I live in the land of sticks.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-GaE1lroww/Wn3J8asVjPI/AAAAAAAAKUg/aG26rjaC9Bg_S8KSLs74phmQo9IKpgdiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-GaE1lroww/Wn3J8asVjPI/AAAAAAAAKUg/aG26rjaC9Bg_S8KSLs74phmQo9IKpgdiwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5482.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div>Which just goes to show that you can't keep a good dog down.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not for long anyway.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><br /></div></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-11103234992805903982018-02-05T20:44:00.000-04:002018-02-05T20:45:11.081-04:00Comfort FoodHappy February everyone! I'm hearing all sorts of different predictions from Groundhog day. Here, our own 'Shubenacadie Sam' made a break for it and bit a reporter. Not sure what that means- maybe he was saying '<i>we're all doomed, I'm outta here suckers!'&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>I hate being trapped inside. I always have. I can putter outside and not be bored but once I'm in the house puttering I'm completely bored. I needed to find a way to amuse myself that was different then scrolling through FB posts.<br /><br />So I turned to cooking and baking.<br /><br />It started with me making a stew and wanting some sort of bread to go with it. I decided to try making my own bread.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AiVrSkrYbw/Wnj3W5UdaEI/AAAAAAAAKRo/45MdJ4d5kPkEpJUbk0Lm-aiqFNBricFFQCLcBGAs/s1600/26850417_10156174785118593_2673706659093865194_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AiVrSkrYbw/Wnj3W5UdaEI/AAAAAAAAKRo/45MdJ4d5kPkEpJUbk0Lm-aiqFNBricFFQCLcBGAs/s320/26850417_10156174785118593_2673706659093865194_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was delicious.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;From there banana bread and muffins seemed like a good choice.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvQmYWUe3hw/Wnj3YP-SvEI/AAAAAAAAKRw/wRMTLfvDmg082smvgn5ZfDVwbtKRD3RkQCLcBGAs/s1600/27023872_10156182003623593_8294889507025013241_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvQmYWUe3hw/Wnj3YP-SvEI/AAAAAAAAKRw/wRMTLfvDmg082smvgn5ZfDVwbtKRD3RkQCLcBGAs/s320/27023872_10156182003623593_8294889507025013241_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKwf09cqvl4/Wnj3XQGRIDI/AAAAAAAAKRs/Ve3X2JsuL9Y4oQbSUGN1Rcd-Oj4kTFcRACLcBGAs/s1600/27368898_10156197452363593_3398614596124792535_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKwf09cqvl4/Wnj3XQGRIDI/AAAAAAAAKRs/Ve3X2JsuL9Y4oQbSUGN1Rcd-Oj4kTFcRACLcBGAs/s320/27368898_10156197452363593_3398614596124792535_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then last weekend a couple girlfriends and I went to a Wine and Lobster event at a local winery.&nbsp;</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWUffmLjtE/Wnj3cwKJqjI/AAAAAAAAKR0/rWyWnig2oOsTdRqfZUJz8JV5RkzasiG2gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNWUffmLjtE/Wnj3cwKJqjI/AAAAAAAAKR0/rWyWnig2oOsTdRqfZUJz8JV5RkzasiG2gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5462.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joys of living on the coast</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was amazing.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOhuGScTfcU/Wnj3v3fWoOI/AAAAAAAAKR8/le7tYc4X4TYM6q9ASd3o_96aNu4BragzwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOhuGScTfcU/Wnj3v3fWoOI/AAAAAAAAKR8/le7tYc4X4TYM6q9ASd3o_96aNu4BragzwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each little course was accompanied by a different wine. The chef came out to describe the dish and then the wine owner described the wine and why they chose it. Each taste of wine was about 1.5 ounces. But they were pretty liberal with the wine and topped up freely.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part way through no one was listening to the chef or wine owner oner anymore. We were all having too much fun. I tried to listen but honestly I don't remember.&nbsp;</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VG8mG0qR7b4/Wnj33amuwhI/AAAAAAAAKSE/ipnugwl-A3kMQzHHRQYhcu-qbKNCAi5WQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VG8mG0qR7b4/Wnj33amuwhI/AAAAAAAAKSE/ipnugwl-A3kMQzHHRQYhcu-qbKNCAi5WQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5466.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lobster taco was my favourite. I thought of 'L' while I was &nbsp;<strike>devouring</strike>&nbsp;eating it.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The local community college is putting on a series of dinners by their students. The food is amazing and beautifully presented.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Spring better come soon. Poor Shanea will be teaching two marshmallows. &nbsp;How are you passing the winter?&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmG5UzqmS0I/Wnj6F8WXQaI/AAAAAAAAKSY/OoaotzBbmkgg1uOFppBrzNSGNZg4y3XsgCLcBGAs/s1600/1965-thelwell-print_700_600_51486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="700" height="235" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmG5UzqmS0I/Wnj6F8WXQaI/AAAAAAAAKSY/OoaotzBbmkgg1uOFppBrzNSGNZg4y3XsgCLcBGAs/s320/1965-thelwell-print_700_600_51486.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-57270117252647711512018-02-02T09:52:00.001-04:002018-02-02T09:52:32.377-04:00Backward or ForwardPlease stand by for a philosophical post.<br /><br />I have thought long and hard about this post and even as I type I'm not sure that I will hit 'publish'. But I likely will because, well, I wrote it so fuck it here it is.<br /><br />This is your last chance to look away.<br /><br />You may recall (but probably not) that last june I wrote&nbsp;<a href="http://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2017/06/whatever.html" target="_blank">a post</a>&nbsp;that hinted of something difficult coming my way and how the emotional toll of that was coming out in my riding. That 'thing' was going to court against the people who's dogs were responsible for the death of my horse. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - to relive that day in public. I was a mess before and after I just curled up on the couch. BUT I also felt a burden lift. I had my say. I also learned that the dogs were gone and the cloud of worry that has followed me ever since about them coming back was dissipated. In the end I felt better and stronger for having gone through it.<br /><br />The verdict was delayed and it just came this week. The wheels of justice are not slow, they are glacial. &nbsp;The verdict was against us- the premise being that a dog owner is <i>only </i>responsible for the damage caused by a dog on his or her's own property- not on someone else's.<br /><br />While Ed and I were not actually expecting any funds to come out of this we were...what's the word? shocked? disappointed? devastated? Whatever. It just seems fucking wrong to me.<br /><br />BUT this post is not about that. It's about what I have decided to do with this.<br /><br />Steele's death has haunted me for three years.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFTq-rHPA5Y/UfWrqX_WnzI/AAAAAAAAF6c/xnp8751RIZ0JLYDOwC7lcYgJtqk1nIDNwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/steele%2Bgallop%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFTq-rHPA5Y/UfWrqX_WnzI/AAAAAAAAF6c/xnp8751RIZ0JLYDOwC7lcYgJtqk1nIDNwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/steele%2Bgallop%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am, though, at a point where I can look at his photos and smile. He was just so joyful and full of personality.<br /><br />I can't let this horrible thing define me. I don't want to be known as the woman who's horse was killed. I want to known as a person who picks up pieces and keeps going.<br /><br />So I have a choice:<br /><br />I can dwell and stew on this which will change nothing but myself.<br /><br />OR<br /><br />I can 'draw a line under it' as they say and look forward. The case is closed and I have spent enough emotional energy on it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLSoqPdbc8s/UCG1slHkjDI/AAAAAAAAFd0/b2VGdSSt9TYQWhc-CxiX97L8_AD9olrtgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/irish%2Bsteele%2Band%2Bdarcy%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLSoqPdbc8s/UCG1slHkjDI/AAAAAAAAFd0/b2VGdSSt9TYQWhc-CxiX97L8_AD9olrtgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/irish%2Bsteele%2Band%2Bdarcy%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still my favourite photo</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People suffer losses and set backs every day. Look around the world and you can be inspired by people picking up and dealing with whatever it thrown at them. Look at &nbsp;Puerto Rico after the hurricane. Look at Haiti after the earthquake. Look at my friend's who have lost family members.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose to move forward.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It all sounds very noble and enlightened but the truth is that I have no idea what that will look like. I suspect it will be less a straight line and more of a bendy, twirly line. But it will be my line and my choice. I am inspired every day by reading other blogs and how you all deal with set backs and devastating losses and go right back at it. My family, horses, dogs and cats will all be a big part of that.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-GZ234Q9QU/VCtKTOut9oI/AAAAAAAAGkE/6oqqLBnY5do9Yzn8_IT2tFV_hOznhU-xACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/steele%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-GZ234Q9QU/VCtKTOut9oI/AAAAAAAAGkE/6oqqLBnY5do9Yzn8_IT2tFV_hOznhU-xACPcBGAYYCw/s320/steele%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>********<br />I know that some of you may want to discuss the verdict. I am going to ask you to not discuss with me (although feel free to voice your feelings). This is part of me moving forward. If you feel strongly about it contact your MLA.<br />********<br /><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-20981813370762505242018-01-28T20:02:00.002-04:002018-01-28T20:02:55.512-04:00Working on the FoundationBefore I get into the post let me share with you this adorable video of Guinness. I was watching Jacqueline Brook's freestyle and it caught his attention ( you should totally watch it too she does it to the Sound of Silence and it's beautiful):<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nY9kwEm1ttg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nY9kwEm1ttg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /><br />I can't believe that I actually was able to ride twice this week! Wednesday was a beautiful day and my work day ended up opening up in the afternoon. I sent an email to my boss and she gave me permission to take a few hours off. Today was warm and we were able to ride again. Ashley was able to join me on Sunday.<br /><br />I have been finding my focus on riding actively really paying off. On Wednesday I had a mini-epiphany. Carmen gave a 3 part spook. You know what I mean- you are trotting along and then something catches your horse's eye:<br />*stutter step* <i>WHAT'S THAT?!</i><br />*horse starts to go forward and then* <i>'OMG it MOVED'</i><br /><i>*</i>bounce in place* <i>'WE MUST FLEE'&nbsp;</i><br />During this I &nbsp;suddenly realized how I freeze and don't do anything (other then tighten every single muscle in my bod). &nbsp;I could feel how Carmen was really looking to me for help and I was doing nothing.<br /><br />&nbsp;I know that may sound stupid but I never really was able to analyze what I was doing during &nbsp;one of her big spooks. After when the dust settled it was a blank to me. So this was huge for me and it underlined how I need to be an active rider not a passive one. I pulled my socks up (figuratively speaking) and made sure that I never stopped riding. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.<br /><br />I was excited to have Ashley come out to ride Irish today. I don't mind riding by myself but it's fun to ride with others every now and then. I was curious to see how Irish went because he's been looking really good. His incontinence is continuing to improve which is really making me happy. He's continuing to eat everything in sight too.<br /><br />Both horses seemed happy to come in. Irish is always pretty happy to be fussed with but Carmen was being very mellow and reached for the bridle. Ash noted that she was a lot whiter and I told her that she was becoming a unicorn. I looked at Carmen with her ears back (not down, just her look when she thinks I'm being foolish) and laughed<br />Me:&nbsp;<i>'you don't need a horn you'd just stab people with it'.&nbsp;</i><br />Carmen: <i>'humph'</i><br />Ashley: '<i>She&nbsp;would totally stab people with it'&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>I didn't lunge her before I got on. I honestly didn't think I would need it. And I was right. Carmen was forward and relaxed. There was one incident as be headed to Troll Corner but I put on my inside leg and got her marching through. And that was it. A few times she wanted to look but it really was nothing. I am feeling optimistic about conquering that corner this year.<br /><br />Carmen was really forward in the ride in a way that I rarely feel. She was all <i>'let's go do the thing'</i> and I was <i>'could we half-halt? &nbsp;</i>and she told me I was a <i>'spoilsport'. </i>&nbsp;I wanted to make sure the footing was okay and it was a bit mushy in places. The far end was best so I finally said '<i>okay fine go canter' </i>and she leapt into it with enthusiasm.<br /><br />And you should have seen Irish- he was carrying himself better then I have seen in a long long time. He was clearly feeling as good as Carmen and was there to play the game. I stopped Carmen to watch them go and she was convinced we were done. Which led to a bit of a discussion when I wanted to go back to work.<br />Carmen: <i>We're done.&nbsp;</i><br />Me: <i>No, that was just a break. We can do more.&nbsp;</i><br />Carmen: <i>Nope, your quarter is up.&nbsp;</i><br />Me: <i>C'mon let's do a little more.&nbsp;</i><br /><br />She got herself into a bit of tizzy over going back to work and I just stayed quiet and clear and didn't back down. I asked her to canter and she couldn't decide whether to kick, buck or canter so it was a bit spazzy and made me giggle. We got the canter rhythm and then I brought her back to walk, relaxed and then asked again. Ashley was watching and said '<i>she launched&nbsp;straight up into that'.</i>&nbsp;It definitely felt uphill.<br /><br />We didn't work on anything new- with such sporadic schooling sessions it's just about confirming stuff already established. What's neat about that is that I can feel that getting more and more solid.<br /><br />I love riding when the horses are having as much fun as the people.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNh7iBJQi4s/Wm5aEkRItSI/AAAAAAAAKQs/WVng_8K7H_8xbEG_9AMtqhpGX3u0bTjwgCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Bheart2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNh7iBJQi4s/Wm5aEkRItSI/AAAAAAAAKQs/WVng_8K7H_8xbEG_9AMtqhpGX3u0bTjwgCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Bheart2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from before Christmas but it still represents how I feel</td></tr></tbody></table><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-24462291938032487382018-01-24T13:18:00.000-04:002018-01-24T13:18:40.792-04:00Learning to Fly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since the weather is still sucking I decided that this is a good time to share a story with you.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Several years ago I took on a second job. I became a trainer in a specialized program for Speech Language Pathologists. It was a lot of fun- I got to meet all sorts of people and travel to places. In 2008 I had the opportunity to go to Ireland. The plan was to travel to Cork and teach for three days, have a three day break and then teach in Dublin. I was over the moon - Ireland was a dream place to visit.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon taking the assignment I immediately began to look into options for horseback riding. I found a place on the outskirts of Dublin that looked promising and was highly rated. I contacted them and after numerous emails it was determined that I would contact them when I arrived in Cork and we would set up a time. Except that they never returned any of my calls or emails. None.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I began to panic. On my third evening I went onto the internet and found another place (<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;">Belair Manor)</span>&nbsp;and sent a message. The next day after work there was a message for me and I returned the call. I spoke to a lovely woman who's name escapes me now (it has been a while) and explained my plight. She said that they could probably do something for me and asked when I would like to. I gave her the date I could do it (in between my teaching) and she said '<i>oh no dear, we have no room for you. We need more notice'. </i>&nbsp;I was so disappointed and I explained about how I had travelled to Ireland and it had always been my dream to ride there and I had no idea when/if I'd ever be back. She was silent for a moment and then said <i>"okay dear, leave it with me. I'll get back to you".&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not sure if I would ever hear from her again but the next day she called and said that they could fit me in on Saturday at a 11:00. I thanked her profusely and asked what train I should catch to get there. <i>'</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Oh, there is no train to here. You need a car'.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>'oh' </i>My voice was small and disappointed. <i>'I don't have a car and I'm terrified to drive here' </i>(no joke, driving in Ireland is not for the faint of heart).&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">'<i>*sigh* Leave it with me'&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple hours after the woman whom I was starting to consider my best friend called back with a plan. And here's how it worked: Saturday morning I caught the 7:30 train from Dublin to Bray. At the train station in Bray I mean a woman named 'Maeve'. I recognized Maeve becasue she was in breeches. She drove me to the Manor. In the car she explained that she was not driving me back because she was riding before me and had to head right back, but they had worked out a plan. I didn't care, I figured I would cross that bridge when I got to it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hung our at the Manor taking photos while I waited for my ride. Check out the website- this place is unbelievable.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB1W3zptKfQ/WmdwxZbmq5I/AAAAAAAAKPg/13ZsWazAhUwqIlZYnQPU6_gTff2Od--BwCLcBGAs/s1600/1934110_39791543592_714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mB1W3zptKfQ/WmdwxZbmq5I/AAAAAAAAKPg/13ZsWazAhUwqIlZYnQPU6_gTff2Od--BwCLcBGAs/s320/1934110_39791543592_714_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the stable yard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtPwZCIVfFE/WmdwxsLzQPI/AAAAAAAAKPk/Xy5eec7HQEwLNzkr4ni-IvSyEj3mhVEMACLcBGAs/s1600/1934110_39791553592_1389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtPwZCIVfFE/WmdwxsLzQPI/AAAAAAAAKPk/Xy5eec7HQEwLNzkr4ni-IvSyEj3mhVEMACLcBGAs/s320/1934110_39791553592_1389_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Soon enough my time to ride came. I was mounted on a huge Irish sport horse named "Charlie" (hey Emma!). I had brought my boots and half-chaps and they loaned me a helmet.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVCZxBF_xKw/WmdwxdhMNaI/AAAAAAAAKPc/A40QHPUgdHMNZEWeJDRqs4AYiLGo5urwQCLcBGAs/s1600/1934110_39791558592_1690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVCZxBF_xKw/WmdwxdhMNaI/AAAAAAAAKPc/A40QHPUgdHMNZEWeJDRqs4AYiLGo5urwQCLcBGAs/s320/1934110_39791558592_1690_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">do I look excited or what? Charlie less so</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Before we left on the ride I was taken into a small ring so they could evaluate that I actually could ride. After a walk and trot around I was deemed okay and off we went. There was a small group of veterans riding with me and we headed into the Wicklow mountain. It was so beautiful and I cannot despcribe how full my heart was. We then picked up a trot and then I was told '<i>Teresa we're going to have a wee canter- just keep your horse behind the one in front of&nbsp; you and it will all be fine'.&nbsp;</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>The 'wee canter' was a flat out gallop over the mountain. Charlie was big and powerful and I really felt like was a flea. I had this moment of '<i>oh my god dying is a real possiblity right now' </i>and my next immediate thought was <i>'And I don't care'.&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;I truly didn't. In that moment I was flying across the countryside and it was a moment of pure and unadulterated happiness. If I had died at the moment I would have died truly happy to the core of my soul. I got into a two point and loosened my hold on the reins. He flicked an ear back '<i>really?'&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;and I was '<i>YES, LET'S FLY'</i>. So we did. Until Charlie started to feel like this was really all a bit of work. He was used to (I think) terrifying tourists not having some crazy Canadian on his back urging for more.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>We stopped half way and all shared a flask with brandy. And then we rode back, with moments of flying. Back at the manor I slid off and my legs almost collapsed under me. The adrenalin was still flowing. A groom took Charlie away to wash off and cool down. I offered to help but was turned down. In the manor house we all shared a lunch of brown bread, ham, potatoes and baked beans. It was the best meal I had ever had. We all talked about horses and it didn't matter what country we were from because the love was the same.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Lunch was over all too soon and I found out that I was being driven back to the outskirts of Dublin by 'Carmel'. She lived in a suburb and was going to drop me at the train station. She apologized for not taking me back to where I was staying but I was honestly fine with it. I know we chatted on the way home. She was the wife of a former diplomat (retired) and had grown children and some young grandchildren. I think, looking back, that she and her husband were 'very important people' but you wouldn't know it by her manner. I was still in a daze and probably sounded very dull and uninteresting.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I took the train back to downtown Dublin. As I was making my way back to my B&amp;B I saw that the Art Gallery was having an exhibit of Impressionist Art. I detoured and went in.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>And that is how I had the most perfect of days riding in the mountains in the morning and looking at incredible art in the afternoon. All because of the kindness of a number of women who worked hard to make a stranger's dream come true. I will treasure this memory forever.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>There are very few moments in life of pure joy. This was one of&nbsp; mine.<br /><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-67392946823169414472018-01-20T19:06:00.001-04:002018-01-20T19:06:29.824-04:00Intermission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend Cindy posted this cartoon to her FB page and it made me laugh. It reminded me of a certain mare who, while not as 'fluffy' as this one, shares this sentiment.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWWzZUnJ4Lo/WmO93XJC-QI/AAAAAAAAKOc/dTTVNdsjTzAdK07KxElLJT2G3Xatv795gCLcBGAs/s1600/16143716_598562513672569_804920105315824816_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="820" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWWzZUnJ4Lo/WmO93XJC-QI/AAAAAAAAKOc/dTTVNdsjTzAdK07KxElLJT2G3Xatv795gCLcBGAs/s320/16143716_598562513672569_804920105315824816_o.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />After writing my last post I realized that I really need to get a handle on my self-judgement.<br /><br />You see I've been feeling a bit guilty about not riding lately. Which is rediculous- the footing and the weather have made it impossible. But I have that voice in my head that says '<i>if you really wanted to ride you would find a way. You are being a chicken".</i>&nbsp; I really don't like that voice. &nbsp;So one of my goals this year is to try to get that voice to shush.<br /><br />Anyway, today the weather was warmer and the snow was soft so decided to ride. &nbsp;Carmen seemed to be quite happy to be brought out and tacked up. The girth is on the same holes as this summer so that is good. I put her on the lunge line to evaluate her mood and the depth of the snow. It seemed to be really good except for one end which was a bit deep.<br /><br />I hopped on and we went to ride. I am continuing to work on the goals of keeping her on my aids (which means I have to be making sure I'm directing her), not adding to the tension and not hang on to the rein too tight.<br /><br />The interesting thing about riding in the snow is how it encourages the horse to really step up. On the lunge Carmen was really pushing. How that feels in the saddle is incredible. I realized that I have more fitness to develop in order to sit that. Initially she was a bit tight and looky but as we walked she became more relaxed and listening. There was a lot of power in her trot and it caught me off guard at first. My first thought was '<i>wow</i>'. My second was '<i>oh my core'</i>.<br /><br />She started to blow out and I could feel wanting to GO. Like really go. I didn't let her - maybe I was chicken but I didn't want her slipping in the snow and injuring herself. So instead I said '<i>let's work on control and power. Speed can come later'. </i>&nbsp;I was really impressed with our work to the right- there wasn't any hesitation in picking up the trot like there used to be when we started back to work. We finished with a lovely canter in the snow. Again there was real power. Carmen wasn't even breathing hard.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKgLIPthuPM/WmPE3PXq85I/AAAAAAAAKOs/rE-Zvcjey7s1e0UjKhrJZsw-o605vOShwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKgLIPthuPM/WmPE3PXq85I/AAAAAAAAKOs/rE-Zvcjey7s1e0UjKhrJZsw-o605vOShwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5412.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still suck at selfies.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Back in the barn Irish was feeling a bit sassy. I looked at him and thought <i>hmmm.</i>&nbsp;I got out his tack and saddled him up. Carmen was funny- she was outside eating and then she realized what I was doing and started to freak out a bit. I mean I don't ride Irish. I ride her. But Cynthia is gone and Irish needs work so up to the ring we went.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsxJ6SLIk-g/WmPE-0W4seI/AAAAAAAAKOw/nbPOymFoNK8n5xjM6VNUz_gbQ8USGxCeACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsxJ6SLIk-g/WmPE-0W4seI/AAAAAAAAKOw/nbPOymFoNK8n5xjM6VNUz_gbQ8USGxCeACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5414.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you sure about this?&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Irish was a bit excited. I didn't want to put too much a strain on him with the snow. When I asked him to trot he gave a squeal and hop. Young Irish would have been a handful. Old Irish though can't do too much so I laughed and then he became insulted and finally we settled. He also wanted to GO and I let him pick up a canter. A couple circles took the wind out of his sails and we could do some work. I noticed that between E and C he was counterbent and looking out. I realized that this was what Carmen was doing too.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Two very different horses, same issue. I wondered if there was a common denominator......</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah. Me. I realized that I was clamping with my left hand and thigh. So I fixed my position and surprise, surprise he became straight. This is a good thing about riding different horses. While I was riding Carmen just ate her hay- so obviously she wasn't too stressed.&nbsp;</div><div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Cfq9jFp6g/WmPFJeDnS-I/AAAAAAAAKO4/XYzCp8T5cwsuwv04J9LP-l7iYRGBHLMIQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Cfq9jFp6g/WmPFJeDnS-I/AAAAAAAAKO4/XYzCp8T5cwsuwv04J9LP-l7iYRGBHLMIQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5415.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see her down at the barn</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I really want to have a lesson (or two) but I need things to thaw. Come on spring.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-38324813536475224872018-01-17T21:12:00.000-04:002018-01-17T21:12:39.514-04:00JudgementThis post has been rattling around in my head for a while. I am not the only one to write about it (<a href="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/facebook-experts-keyboard-warriors-hh-responds-642223" target="_blank">like here- posted by Dom on FB)</a>. Even knowing that far better writers then me have tackled this topic I'm going to do it anyway.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcjKKEKug-Y/Wl_pp61k--I/AAAAAAAAKNM/aLC7BLERg5wR0KGx5z-q7FAemDAbAXXQgCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Bspook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcjKKEKug-Y/Wl_pp61k--I/AAAAAAAAKNM/aLC7BLERg5wR0KGx5z-q7FAemDAbAXXQgCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Bspook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rider hauling on her horse and causing her to invert OR<br />rider surviving a spin/leap/bolt and trying to get her horse back before someone<br />dies. You decide. Or rather don't.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Lord knows I am not any shining example of perfection and poise. I have been known to swear - even in a show (in my defence I had gone off course and realized it). &nbsp;I am the first one to admit that I have a lot of improvements I need to make in my riding. I am sometimes impatient and frustrated.<br /><br />I am also sometimes able to ride with tact and responsiveness.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VvvI7qOZ1iI/Wl_uKBVosYI/AAAAAAAAKNk/KmPZWsJD2aYm90F7TGCoTOYE2xaF5mGFACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VvvI7qOZ1iI/Wl_uKBVosYI/AAAAAAAAKNk/KmPZWsJD2aYm90F7TGCoTOYE2xaF5mGFACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />But here's the thing- whether I am sucking or rocking it, <i>I am always trying my best.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>As I get older I get more and more irritated by people seeing a single moment/episode and making all sorts of snap judgements. They assume that they now know all that there is to know about that person and their horse. And of course they know what should be done.<br /><br />We've all experienced it.<br /><br />Remember my&nbsp;<a href="http://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2017/08/clinic-recap-leaving-our-comfort-zone.html" target="_blank">Trail Clinic</a>&nbsp;back in August? I was so happy with that experience. Nikki (one of the clinicians) shared it on FB and that was then shared by someone else. Someone who added the following:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLrTr9zEV3M/Wl_swNesLRI/AAAAAAAAKNY/GLaGbHYEt_EsDEoy5NZo6wq_4C7h8vPhwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-01-17%2Bat%2B8.38.12%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="988" height="96" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLrTr9zEV3M/Wl_swNesLRI/AAAAAAAAKNY/GLaGbHYEt_EsDEoy5NZo6wq_4C7h8vPhwCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-01-17%2Bat%2B8.38.12%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">name blocked out because it's not relevant</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The person who posted this appears to have leapt to all kinds of conclusions about my history with Carmen's training and is sitting in judgement. I thought about writing an explanation "<i>actually I have done a lot with this mare and this clinic was another step on my journey to build our partnerhsip</i>. In the end I didn't bother because I wasn't sure it would be a productive discussion.&nbsp;While part of me doesn't care, part of me is still rankled.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We need to stop it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not fair. But worse, it's not <i>helpful</i>. It adds nothing to the discussion. In fact it stops any discussion dead. &nbsp;We don't know what a person has gone through to get where they are. Maybe doing what they are doing is a result of a ton of work, sweat and bravery. And it doesn't matter that it could be better. It's enough that it's not worse.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this year I'm going to continue to work on being a&nbsp;<a href="http://dressageridertraining.com/blog/dealing-with-judgement/" target="_blank">cheerleader</a>. I am going to assume that others are doing their best and that I don't know their story. I will not pass judgement and I will not give advice unless asked for. And even then, I will try to ask rather then tell.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlv2wCWo22M/Wl_zNA2_fYI/AAAAAAAAKN0/aP2zbQ64gsQ5K2RoOZneGpb3_oSs67yYACLcBGAs/s1600/understand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlv2wCWo22M/Wl_zNA2_fYI/AAAAAAAAKN0/aP2zbQ64gsQ5K2RoOZneGpb3_oSs67yYACLcBGAs/s320/understand.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-91609365793707537372018-01-16T06:56:00.001-04:002018-01-16T06:56:49.588-04:00A Rose by Any Other Name...There was a surprise waiting for me when I got home from work- Guinness' registration papers!<br /><br />I was beginning to worry that they would not come. Ed wondered why they were even necessary- it's not like I am planning to show him and the breeding thing is off the table. But I paid a lot for a well bred registered dog and I wanted his papers.<br /><br />I opened the envelope and I started to laugh.<br /><br />You see, a few months ago the breeder said that I needed to pick a name for his papers that started with 'A'. All of the puppies had to be registered that way. I remember giving a few names but saying it really didn't matter as long as Guinness was his second name.<br /><br />So here is what arrived today:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUCuukEuxbw/Wl1T4h_agGI/AAAAAAAAKMs/8ROG6x3bqb0N3LTR-8NgHlAXPSC6ZUWNgCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bcertificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUCuukEuxbw/Wl1T4h_agGI/AAAAAAAAKMs/8ROG6x3bqb0N3LTR-8NgHlAXPSC6ZUWNgCLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bcertificate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;I give you 'Awesome Guinness Von Narnia.'<br /><br />That's right. My Guinness is officially awesome.<br /><br />He's getting a big head over it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP9uZ52lkqA/Wl1U6GlhgiI/AAAAAAAAKM4/W3k-chnTD5MI4NfmL2eIeHWgrCAtIo65ACLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP9uZ52lkqA/Wl1U6GlhgiI/AAAAAAAAKM4/W3k-chnTD5MI4NfmL2eIeHWgrCAtIo65ACLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Mr. Awesome if you please</td></tr></tbody></table><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-49834140351777244962018-01-14T19:23:00.002-04:002018-01-14T19:23:39.709-04:00Holding Patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was unable to ride again this weekend. Yesterday was torrential rain, but I am grateful that it was not snow. The thaw took the frost out of the ground so the rain could be absorbed somewhat. I could have ridden today but I had so many chores to do that I ended up doing those first. Normally I will ride first and then do chores but I am okay with not riding today. January is rarely a time where I make great strides in training. But now my barn looks much better with all the old hay cleaned up.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My son is away for work and so we have his dog until the middle of March. I was a bit worried about it driving us crazy like it did last time but it's going really well. Being a year old makes a huge difference.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgSlSZfRL9U/WlvhG9XvaaI/AAAAAAAAKL8/_LbtDYdgim81JjcVtE_3PRb675gcC6WqgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgSlSZfRL9U/WlvhG9XvaaI/AAAAAAAAKL8/_LbtDYdgim81JjcVtE_3PRb675gcC6WqgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves me&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;She and Guinness are great friends. I am getting lots of walking in.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WagimKX4lHg/WlvhIVynA0I/AAAAAAAAKMA/i4UomhMLsKg6gNkqm_rlb18qUX6Mmhu6ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WagimKX4lHg/WlvhIVynA0I/AAAAAAAAKMA/i4UomhMLsKg6gNkqm_rlb18qUX6Mmhu6ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Hai. We see you are making lunch. We also like lunch"</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>One of my battles this year is keeping Carmen from her life goal of turning into a marshmallow. When she first arrived she was a bit skinny and (probably) ulcery. That is gone and she's maturing into a solid horse. Which is fine when she's in work. She does not appear to have any desire to run around the field and exercise herself. So, in addition to the slow feeder, I have taken to putting loose hay out in various parts of the field to get her to walk around. However, at night in the stall she is literally gobbling her hay. After much deliberation I decided to try one of the Tough 1 hay hoops:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W-TqZ_448/WlvjbTofYYI/AAAAAAAAKMU/N81VzKdNCgkZFdxHdxlL9NQLzU4RyuEkACLcBGAs/s1600/40802_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W-TqZ_448/WlvjbTofYYI/AAAAAAAAKMU/N81VzKdNCgkZFdxHdxlL9NQLzU4RyuEkACLcBGAs/s320/40802_C.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I figure that at least it will make her hay last longer. I put it up yesterday and loaded it. As you can see by her expression she is not impressed with this development.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uevIKHhJcr8/WlvhJGtRnZI/AAAAAAAAKME/WDB2sksMYMYK9_ygvj4uTphnWZ3groW0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uevIKHhJcr8/WlvhJGtRnZI/AAAAAAAAKME/WDB2sksMYMYK9_ygvj4uTphnWZ3groW0wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her position is that if she's going through her hay too fast that is evidence that I need to give her <i>more</i>&nbsp;hay. Simple equine logic. That evening as I filling her bucket she tipped over my bucket. Something she's never done but her look spoke volumes. Oh well.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite the mild weather, Martin refuses to go outside for very long.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2p_XkSBz74/WlvhjHdeGoI/AAAAAAAAKMI/f4b2pvO4n004udwR6ePB5pzoEGO7CZJLQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2p_XkSBz74/WlvhjHdeGoI/AAAAAAAAKMI/f4b2pvO4n004udwR6ePB5pzoEGO7CZJLQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5397.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I don't know what happens when we die but I'm pretty sure that Martin is going to become one with my sofa.&nbsp;</div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-1040327797753882872018-01-12T17:40:00.001-04:002018-01-12T17:40:53.652-04:00Being Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I swear that Mother Nature is messing with us this year. After bitterly cold temperatures we are having a bit of a reprieve. Yesterday was about 6 and today was a balmy 17 degrees (celsius). &nbsp;Because we have no snow, yesterday was enough to thaw out my ring so I had some high hopes for today. &nbsp;While it was a bit soft in places and had a few puddles, the footing was actually pretty good. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I tacked her up and she was reaching for the bit before I had the bridle ready. Given that the the last time I rode was Christmas eve lunging seemed to be a good life choice. I've become very good at reading her so that while she started off pretty calm and obedient I was sure that there was a layer of tension under it all. Sure enough she suddenly bolted in response to...something. A bird? Waving grass? Invisible trolls? Who knows. I immediately stopped moving and stood calmly. Funnily enough I wasn't worried at all. I knew that was in there so it was more of 'I knew that was in there'. We worked a bit in the spooky corner (between E and C, which surprises no one). &nbsp;We just kept working until she seemed to be more 'with' me. It took somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes. I decided that riding would be fine so I took off the lunge line and took down the stirrups.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also needed to think about my goals for the ride. I decided that it made sense to work on my riding goals (from&nbsp;<a href="https://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2018/01/2018-goals-going-boldly-forth.html?showComment=1515782707545#c109947656487984384" target="_blank">January 10th post</a>). Mostly I wanted to focus on the first two: having a relaxed and effective seat and being 'present' in the saddle so that I was always giving her directions.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And do you know what? That really worked out well for us. Keeping my brain on what I was doing and giving her directions seemed to help me stay relaxed. Carmen started out tense but nothing too major. Whenever I felt her attention shift away from me I insisted that it return. I played a bit with riding a diamond pattern in half of the ring. This required me to keep her straight and then execute a 1/4 turn on the haunches at the pivot points. I could feel her becoming curious about what we were doing which was fun. We only walked and trotted. I had done some canter on the lunge but wanted to keep this easy. &nbsp;Whenever I felt her bulge her body away I made sure that my seat was clear that I needed her to go back. She did give one big spin/spook (yes between E and C) &nbsp;but I was prepared and actually leg yielded her back in mid-spook. That was the end of it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We finished by practicing a few shoulder ins to haunches in and vice versa. She did really well. Probably because I was present and giving clear directions. I could really feel how my seat needed to adjust to help her position her body. I rode for about 25 minutes and called it a day.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1uMx8lYIgYg/Wlj7xGpWczI/AAAAAAAAKK8/Pxq86Z5naecOp2j-9J3GsprBeAVJDbARwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-771739656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1uMx8lYIgYg/Wlj7xGpWczI/AAAAAAAAKK8/Pxq86Z5naecOp2j-9J3GsprBeAVJDbARwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-771739656.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nobodydied</td></tr></tbody></table>After I gave her a good groom and she gave a shake like they do after they roll. That's when I knew that she had enjoyed it all too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yBpc3ioqgdw/Wlj7tEkQksI/AAAAAAAAKK4/PmVAiB9LTWofMBFnPgLbNmt7wlVWJ0IEACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1381317653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yBpc3ioqgdw/Wlj7tEkQksI/AAAAAAAAKK4/PmVAiB9LTWofMBFnPgLbNmt7wlVWJ0IEACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1381317653.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is how spent the rest of the day because she <i>exercised</i>&nbsp;and <br />was without food for&nbsp;<i>almost a whole hour!&nbsp;</i></td></tr></tbody></table>I don't know if I'll get t ride again, even though it's staying warmer until Sunday night. Tonight into tomorrow we're going to get torrential rain so I will have to check the ring. I spent the afternoon making sure that the rain had a way to drain away. Guinness 'helped':<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ou4_nUw_NWE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ou4_nUw_NWE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-77613568830325697122018-01-10T18:26:00.001-04:002018-01-10T18:26:40.923-04:002018 Goals: Going Boldly Forth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Freedom lies in being bold"- Robert Frost</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yt1OclaujXQ/WlVuwdLL4GI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/w4BoEEqQ7W4DwKFuRdGYaQpPRlqpv0tUwCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Bsilhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yt1OclaujXQ/WlVuwdLL4GI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/w4BoEEqQ7W4DwKFuRdGYaQpPRlqpv0tUwCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Bsilhouette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I do not know why I have been procrastinating on writing this post. It's not that I don't have goals- I do. It's not that I am afraid to write them down in case I don't meet them. I am okay not hitting all my 'goals'.<br /><br />I think that the biggest struggle has been in identifying what I mean by a 'goal'. Last year it seemed pretty simple- I needed to get off property and expose Carmen to new things. This year we will be doing a lot of the same things but for a different purpose.<br /><br /><b><u>Shows</u>:&nbsp;</b><br /><br />So far I am aware of 4 shows this year- two Bronze and two Scotia Series (these are at a provincial level and don't require a licence from Equine Canada). There's also a schooling show but it conflicts with one of the Scotia series. Which is really unfortunate- it's not like we have so many.<br /><br />I am planning to do the four shows. My goal is to show at First Level. I think that Carmen will be better with more to occupy her. However, it will require us to really work on her lengthens.<br /><br />I am also going to keep my eye out for other shows that might be fun to try.<br /><br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Lessons &amp; Clinics</u>:<br />I am itching to start back with Shanea. But I need my ring to thaw first. I want to have a regular schedule so that I can really tackle my riding goals (below). In addition I want to participate in clinics. I find them a good way to stretch myself. &nbsp;I am definitely planning to do the Johanna Batista clinic. It will be the long weekend in May.<br /><br />I've already registered for another of the Ultimate Trail Clinics. This one is much closer to me then the one I went to last year so that should be good. I am so excited to do more of this.<br /><br />I'd love to do another Jacqueline Brooks clinic if that works out.<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Fun stuff</u>:<br />I want to spend a lot of time hacking out. I hope to &nbsp;join up with Nancy a few times. I'm also on the look out for more trail options as well. Overall I want to hack out on my property at least 4 times a month.<br /><br />Fun weekends away- at Karen's or Rachael's or somewhere else. That always assumes that they want me.<br /><br />It might be a crazy idea but I think it might be fun to introduce Carmen to some low level jumping. We shall see about that.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlDJfof77G4/WlaOatKURqI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/330LYskZ11Qs9NDteT__XV5JRIRCni_cwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlDJfof77G4/WlaOatKURqI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/330LYskZ11Qs9NDteT__XV5JRIRCni_cwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like this only, you know, taller</td></tr></tbody></table>Those are the 'things' that I want to do. Obviously riding and training are much more then that. I have some specific goals for riding and behaviour.<br /><b><u>Riding Goals:</u></b><div><ul><li>I want to further improve my seat so that I can stay both relaxed and effective in the saddle.&nbsp;</li><li>I want to fix my tendency to want to 'coast' and expect her to carry me. Instead I want to be giving her direction so that she doesn't feel abandoned and then make bad decisions.&nbsp;</li><li>Let go of the rein. This is a hard one given Carmen's ability to duck behind the contact and then spin/bolt. Keeping a short rein keeps her from getting away from me but it's not a good long-term solution. This requires me to trust and ride forward.&nbsp;</li><li>Increase awareness of my body and it's impact on how she's going.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><b><u>Carmen Goals:</u></b></div><div><ul><li>Go forward of the leg. Not fast- forward, reaching from behind.&nbsp;</li><li>Keep her attention on me and not on all the things that are obviously waiting to kill her</li><li>Develop her trust in me in new situations so that we can have successful shows/clinics etc.&nbsp;</li><li>NO MORE SPOOKING BETWEEN E AND C. This is huge for us.&nbsp;</li><li>Develop her push from behind so that she can collect/lengthen</li></ul><div><br /></div></div>So that's it. Those are my goals. I know that I will add more and there will be things that frustrate me and moments of real joy.<br /><br />Come on 2018- we're ready.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHRu8DUER1I/WlaSgN96DLI/AAAAAAAAKKU/oFSEhNI8xiEMju9tW_b6LAblQJeRQ1udgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHRu8DUER1I/WlaSgN96DLI/AAAAAAAAKKU/oFSEhNI8xiEMju9tW_b6LAblQJeRQ1udgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen: shouldn't you wait for things to thaw a bit? (PC Cindy M)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 192px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1828px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; 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font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 192px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1828px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 192px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1828px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 192px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1828px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 192px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1828px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-38758134500539723372018-01-04T20:39:00.000-04:002018-01-04T20:48:20.412-04:00The Great Lysine ExperimentI seem to be avoiding writing my 'goals for 2018' post.<br /><br />Or I am still mulling.<br /><br />Let's go with mulling.<br /><br />We are getting hammered with another winter storm. For us it is all rain- no snow. Which is actually more difficult as the ground is frozen and not able to absorb it. I had to make sure that it had a path to flow so that the barn won't flood. I was probably worrying unnecessarily but hey, that's me and I need to go with my strengths. If it makes me feel better to be out in high winds and driving rain sticking a shovel into frozen ground to make the drainage pathways larger who is going to argue?<br /><br />Not these two.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNghwPzi5u0/Wk7LP_lfxEI/AAAAAAAAKJU/y6c_N2YIoV8_jwWiCG3NRh1F3tSKzUUCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNghwPzi5u0/Wk7LP_lfxEI/AAAAAAAAKJU/y6c_N2YIoV8_jwWiCG3NRh1F3tSKzUUCgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no more snow, just water running everywhere.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As long as I'm not late with dinner.<br /><br />Hiding inside from the weather gives me time to write an update on the red headed wonder: Irish.<br /><br />Back in August&nbsp;<a href="http://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2017/08/house-of-cards.html" target="_blank">I wrote a post</a>&nbsp;about Irish and his incontinence. I purchased the boots and they worked really well to protect his legs from the scalding. His legs healed nicely and he was feeling perkier. But (why is there always a but?) wearing them 20 hours out of 24 was not good for his legs. He started getting some rubs from the boots. They also became very foul smelling (logical I know) no matter how often I washed them. So I went and purchased the Keratix Mud Shield powder. Now I do a boots every now and then and use the powder a lot. His legs look gross but it actually just rinses right off (unlike before).<br /><br />Kris at&nbsp;<a href="http://thedancingdonkey.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Dancing Donkey</a>&nbsp;suggested that some diet changes might help. She and I exchanged some emails and she suggested lots of things, the key being amino acids. These might be lacking in his diet. I am very careful with Irish's diet - given his history of ulcers and colics I don't make changes lightly. I did a lot of my own research. One issue is that getting supplements here in Canada is difficult ,&nbsp;<i>especially if you want a&nbsp;reasonable price. </i><br /><br />Fast forward a bit and Cathryn at&nbsp;<a href="http://twoandahalfhorses.blogspot.ca/2017/10/vet-visit-annie-and-spud.html" target="_blank">Two and a Half Horses</a>&nbsp;did a post about her vet recommending Myoplast to help build Annie's topline. Reading that post and all the comments led me back to exploring some options for Irish. I then found a reasonably priced source for pure lysine in Canada (apple saddlery). I purchased it and have had him on it since November 8, 2017. I took some photos to document his progress.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwMgVwkOksc/Wk67s-vHCdI/AAAAAAAAKIs/PGS5X6s9qCcMvysgaxzRzhUASVmjbcwQgCLcBGAs/s1600/nov%2B8%2Bside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwMgVwkOksc/Wk67s-vHCdI/AAAAAAAAKIs/PGS5X6s9qCcMvysgaxzRzhUASVmjbcwQgCLcBGAs/s320/nov%2B8%2Bside.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0d-WXNnC44Y/Wk67pCdp7VI/AAAAAAAAKIo/NhJWJsIIhsswHI2nmVxNnh774GGy0gj9wCLcBGAs/s1600/nov%2B8%2Bbehind.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0d-WXNnC44Y/Wk67pCdp7VI/AAAAAAAAKIo/NhJWJsIIhsswHI2nmVxNnh774GGy0gj9wCLcBGAs/s320/nov%2B8%2Bbehind.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Within a week I noticed something pretty amazing. Irish has always been a 'fussy' eater. In the winter he gets a lot of oats, fat and fibre, &nbsp;free choice hay, soaked beet pulp and &nbsp;alfalfa. Essentially he had food available 24/7. Rarely did he ever complete his grain/pellet ration. Nine out of ten mornings I threw out left over feed/beet pulp/alfalfa.<br /><br />Now he finishes everything and is impatient for his breakfast and supper rations.<br /><br />Guys this is huge. Irish <i>never</i>&nbsp;finishes his feed or hay.<br /><br />In six weeks he put on 40 pounds.<br /><br />Another thing I noticed (although not as quickly) was that his incontinence significantly reduced. It's not gone but it's so much less. I also think I see a difference in his topline- even though he's not getting exercised.<br /><br />This week I checked him again. He hadn't gained any more weight which I found disappointing until I realized that this is the first time he didn't <i>drop</i>&nbsp;weight when the temperatures plummeted. He's maintaining his weight at 1098 (according to my weight tape).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQGNZgKdnQ4/Wk67hp1pauI/AAAAAAAAKIk/Erk2W90AN_IQ75rkWDZxYa_bJRVMjoVPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/jan%2B2%2Bside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQGNZgKdnQ4/Wk67hp1pauI/AAAAAAAAKIk/Erk2W90AN_IQ75rkWDZxYa_bJRVMjoVPgCEwYBhgL/s320/jan%2B2%2Bside.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoIVOxkSXVM/Wk67fp3q-nI/AAAAAAAAKIg/jQLGFsE7SWsKwoF0R6CP0oM0CCVPL3eEACEwYBhgL/s1600/jan%2B2%2Bback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoIVOxkSXVM/Wk67fp3q-nI/AAAAAAAAKIg/jQLGFsE7SWsKwoF0R6CP0oM0CCVPL3eEACEwYBhgL/s320/jan%2B2%2Bback.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;I don't know if the photos show anything at all. His topline looks better to me but I also want to see it. A few weeks ago when Shanea visited and Ashley was riding she commented that he looked good compared to the last time she saw him.<br /><br />I have no idea what the scientific explanation is. My theory is that he was unable to extract the nutrients he needed so wasn't interested in eating. The lysine is helping him to do that. I cannot see it as a coincidence that after 6 years at home he suddenly decides to start eating (and longer than that but he was boarded so I can't swear to it).<br /><br />Letting him build up weight and topline should make it far easier for him to be worked too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-53852503106527057322017-12-28T12:38:00.000-04:002017-12-28T12:38:15.908-04:002017- Year in ReviewI guess it's that time of year again. And since it's bitterly cold outside today seems like a good day to take a look back on the year that was. I have to say that is was a good year for Carmen and I. When I wrote my&nbsp;<a href="http://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2017/01/2017-goals-doing-all-things.html" target="_blank">goals for this year</a>&nbsp;back in January I thought that I might have been a bit optimistic.<br /><br />However, writing them out helped me to stay motivated and keep going even when we had a few set backs.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98L5yjPmh2M/WkUCm5xVRJI/AAAAAAAAKFA/_-gTS1Nd9QwDb3DHXtMWK0_J-fVoCZR6wCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98L5yjPmh2M/WkUCm5xVRJI/AAAAAAAAKFA/_-gTS1Nd9QwDb3DHXtMWK0_J-fVoCZR6wCLcBGAs/s320/carmen.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen: 'what are we looking at?'</td></tr></tbody></table>Here are some basic statistics for 2017:<br /><ul><li>145 blog posts (feel free to check my math).&nbsp;</li><li>4 clinics :</li><ul><li>Dressage /centred riding with Johanna Batista</li><li>Dressage with Jane Fraser</li><li>Trail with Nikki and Mike Porter</li><li>Dressage with Jacqueline Brooks</li></ul><li>4 Shows with scores ranging from 3 to 8:&nbsp;</li><ul><li>3 schooling shows at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fivefires.ca/" target="_blank">Five Fires</a></li><li>1 Bronze/Gold at Windsor Exhibition</li></ul><li>Multiple lessons- Too many to count (or I am too lazy to check, you decide).&nbsp;</li><li>3 off-property trail rides and many on-property</li><li>Rides- again I could count them as I track them on my calendar but let's go with 'lots'. I spent a lot of time in the saddle</li><li>1 horse camp with my niece coming to stay</li><li>A few fun weekends with Karen</li></ul><div>I am finding a hard time picking the 'best' thing that we did. &nbsp;</div><div>It was a fun year.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting the ribbons and awards was fun but more for what they represented.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQrvfJxB3TA/WkUaS1NMxCI/AAAAAAAAKGI/gJ0W3TzuJesvIWm5n2BEkceZox3PY-mgQCLcBGAs/s1600/18449652_10156158032852316_1536089979087423578_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQrvfJxB3TA/WkUaS1NMxCI/AAAAAAAAKGI/gJ0W3TzuJesvIWm5n2BEkceZox3PY-mgQCLcBGAs/s320/18449652_10156158032852316_1536089979087423578_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still laugh when I see this photo- it totally summed up our first show experience (PC Joanne Kane)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We really worked hard on getting ourselves together and building the partnership.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCcqca6hd0U/WkUHsX3ZXoI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/5lM_Nz1GZ3MQ5CxP6lXN7w8OBrciSBD9gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCcqca6hd0U/WkUHsX3ZXoI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/5lM_Nz1GZ3MQ5CxP6lXN7w8OBrciSBD9gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty much where we were in January</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9fKRqovhFqY/WkUKAF1UQNI/AAAAAAAAKFk/AM3qgMkxLt4RPvrbQrh1vOT3CyDbCiR0QCLcBGAs/s1600/trot2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9fKRqovhFqY/WkUKAF1UQNI/AAAAAAAAKFk/AM3qgMkxLt4RPvrbQrh1vOT3CyDbCiR0QCLcBGAs/s320/trot2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty much where we are now</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;This was a year of setting up challenges. Each time Carmen and I rose to meet them. Sometimes with ease and grace and other times with much flailing and struggling. I seem to have overcome my anxiety about trailering and have became comfortable doing it all myself.<br /><br />I learned a lot this year:<br /><br /><ul><li>Carmen is much better off-property than on.&nbsp;</li><li>I still really enjoy showing.&nbsp;</li><li>Carmen LOVES the trail and is far more relaxed then in the ring</li><li>I can sit in the saddle and ride things out (even a heart pounding bolt).&nbsp;</li><li>Carmen and I can work together as a team and she will look to me for guidance (and by god I better have it).&nbsp;</li><li>That Carmen has a habit of spooking in the same spot in <i>every</i>&nbsp;ring (between E and C)</li><li>I have the most amazing friends who go above and beyond to help us reach our goals.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>I loved doing the trail/ Working Equitation obstacles and want to do more this year. It is just so much fun:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E486kI-vVU4/WkUNqDMVh0I/AAAAAAAAKF4/FEVC50dI3lEfZPSnyl2YY1u9dz8dpGbLACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E486kI-vVU4/WkUNqDMVh0I/AAAAAAAAKF4/FEVC50dI3lEfZPSnyl2YY1u9dz8dpGbLACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4189.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen: <i>um, are you sure?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MTlzAc_CqnI/WkUNcGKOwHI/AAAAAAAAKF0/O6GhUjIgFhIM89Zrdp-q5NBR-X5Vhl9_QCLcBGAs/s1600/ride%2Bbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MTlzAc_CqnI/WkUNcGKOwHI/AAAAAAAAKF0/O6GhUjIgFhIM89Zrdp-q5NBR-X5Vhl9_QCLcBGAs/s320/ride%2Bbridge.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen: <i>I can do this and look pretty at&nbsp;the same time</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ed helped me carve out some trails on our property and it has been a lot of fun planning and riding on them. One has been blocked by the storm we just had and so will need some work in the spring:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/26114627_10156103555733593_3426718148693936145_o.jpg?oh=13516644669996b35ca305f8d5f4dda2&amp;oe=5AB212DF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="800" height="318" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/26114627_10156103555733593_3426718148693936145_o.jpg?oh=13516644669996b35ca305f8d5f4dda2&amp;oe=5AB212DF" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no riding through that.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Overall 2017 has been a stellar year for us. I am so happy that I persevered with Carmen and found a way to reach her. I have learned that we are very alike (both good and bad). She has made me a better rider and, in some ways, a better person. I am more patient (I said 'more patient' not 'patient' so stop laughing) and more aware of how my internal state affects those around me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to 2018.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xR4-eIOBRY8/WkUaaQiBTvI/AAAAAAAAKGM/Tqun3i_Ozt4XR2Ndn45I49KR14CluJhFwCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Bhug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1035" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xR4-eIOBRY8/WkUaaQiBTvI/AAAAAAAAKGM/Tqun3i_Ozt4XR2Ndn45I49KR14CluJhFwCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Bhug.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me: <i>are you ready?</i><br />Carmen: <i>oh yeah, I'm ready</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-76331131292641944612017-12-26T15:21:00.001-04:002017-12-26T15:21:28.218-04:00Christmas GiftsHello everyone- I hope that y'all had a wonderful holiday. We've had a wonderful Christmas despite the weather demons.<br /><br />Christmas eve was a beautiful and warm sunny day so I decided to ride. Since I had only ridden once in 2 weeks it seemed prudent to lunge first. Carmen was a bit looky but pretty good. That carried over to the riding. She was very very good. I also stayed focussed on making sure that I was giving constant directions and not sitting in the back seat and letting her drive.<br /><br />I always find it hard to know how much to school when she's not in regular work. I don't want to make her sore and it seems unfair to push her too hard- especially when I can't be sure to ride the next day to help clarify. I decided that I was just going to work on soft and steady contact, smooth transitions and bend.<br /><br />I could feel a real change in the contact since I did her teeth- she was back to being soft in the contact and no more gaping or pulling. While she was definitely a bit looky she was not that tight ball of dynamite that I had been riding. I am filing that away as useful information- Carmen is far more explosive when she's uncomfortable. I ended our session after 50 minutes. In the barn she was quite happy to have me groom and make a fuss over her. It was a lovely Christmas gift.<br /><br />That night we had lobster and a whole bunch of snacks.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaXiFeGbBSU/WkKd0f9Rl4I/AAAAAAAAKEc/VVKlr0LGUWQQuFsxln5_QcGlKGJ9hbeiACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaXiFeGbBSU/WkKd0f9Rl4I/AAAAAAAAKEc/VVKlr0LGUWQQuFsxln5_QcGlKGJ9hbeiACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picked up the lobster at the wharf</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Christmas day was a whole different story in terms of weather. We had freezing rain, followed by rain and then the winds started. Up to 130 km/hr. It was inevitable that we would lose power and we did around 3:45. Fortunately the turkey was done. Ed hooked up the generator but it doesn't run the stove. &nbsp;I ended up cooking the potatoes and gravy in the microwave. &nbsp;We were able to have some light with an extension cable and had dinner by the light of the tree and some candles.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3W2bG716pWY/WkKdsfAvUfI/AAAAAAAAKEI/fq0tY9OWdgUZpaigbruaxoUgOfQQDnS7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3W2bG716pWY/WkKdsfAvUfI/AAAAAAAAKEI/fq0tY9OWdgUZpaigbruaxoUgOfQQDnS7gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas dinner by candlelight</td></tr></tbody></table>We had a ton of fun playing board games and spending time together. The barn chores are always more challenging by lamplight. I have a battery lantern that I use. It makes me feel like I'm in 'Little House on the Prairie'.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tAMcbXH4Y/WkKeGK4wlCI/AAAAAAAAKEc/87neNS1H0VcVZGOu33sD0h7WyvZtI6DlgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tAMcbXH4Y/WkKeGK4wlCI/AAAAAAAAKEc/87neNS1H0VcVZGOu33sD0h7WyvZtI6DlgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5333.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This morning we rigged up some heavy duty extension cords to run the electric fence but first we needed to repair the fence. We still don't have power but are doing fine. It has been a wonderful Christmas with the kids (2 and 4 legged). Ed gave me a Fitbit Charge 2 which I'm really happy with. My kids appear to know their mother quite well:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOvJT9bNef4/WkKd17E-YaI/AAAAAAAAKEc/jycs_1217OMYfDtqMGkVmTLcd4u2KMfBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOvJT9bNef4/WkKd17E-YaI/AAAAAAAAKEc/jycs_1217OMYfDtqMGkVmTLcd4u2KMfBQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5328.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my son. I think that the will be my horse show sweater to protect my show clothes.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJKqkGFdhFE/WkKeEf4oV9I/AAAAAAAAKEc/BW8XVPI9VGEw7hAZyXdYQE25NXS0omDLgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJKqkGFdhFE/WkKeEf4oV9I/AAAAAAAAKEc/BW8XVPI9VGEw7hAZyXdYQE25NXS0omDLgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5335.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter saw me admiring this and sneakily bought it.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>All of these are lovely gifts but the best one is to slow down and spend time with the people and creatures I love. And eating. I will definitely be putting that Fitbit to use!<div><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 232px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2123px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 232px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2123px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-85770055462195047012017-12-23T14:45:00.001-04:002017-12-23T14:45:19.407-04:00Christmas TagI was nominated by&nbsp;<a href="https://13ahamoments.com/2017/12/22/the-christmas-tag/" target="_blank">Ahamoments</a>&nbsp;to participate in Christmas Tag.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://13ahamoments.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/christmas-tag-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="468" height="252" src="https://13ahamoments.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/christmas-tag-logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span id="goog_349681421"></span><span id="goog_349681422"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px;">Here are the rules for this award:</span></span><br /><ul style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #111111; font-family: &quot;Quattrocento Sans&quot;, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Thank the person that nominated you with a link to their blog&nbsp;√</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Add the picture in your blog&nbsp;√</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Copy these rules into your post&nbsp;√</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Add a link to this original post&nbsp;√&nbsp;<a href="https://withcoloursandcanitointhekitchen.blog/2017/12/19/the-christmas-tag/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #307777; margin-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; word-wrap: break-word;">Original Christmas Tag</a></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Answer the 10 questions (you can add extra Christmas – related questions if you want)&nbsp;√</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tag at least 3 other bloggers with links to their blogs&nbsp;√</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Have fun!&nbsp;√√√</li></ul><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">I am not always good at doing these but I thought this might be fun.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>1. What's your favourite thing about Christmas?</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">I love spending time with my family. Every year we have the Annual Arab Family Wii Sports Tournament. I am not very good at a lot of the games but it's fun. A lot of times I get to ride on Christmas day. It&nbsp;may not happen this year but that's okay. I love the morning in the barn just with the animals and enjoying the peace.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>2. What's your favourite Christmas Memory?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjWuoAEejRY/Wj6gL9mvU_I/AAAAAAAAKDI/hWcAmo5_79wjYAqbkxfDDr6UNwWGFS1GACLcBGAs/s1600/1923464_20031448592_645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjWuoAEejRY/Wj6gL9mvU_I/AAAAAAAAKDI/hWcAmo5_79wjYAqbkxfDDr6UNwWGFS1GACLcBGAs/s320/1923464_20031448592_645_n.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">I can't pick any. There are a lot of special small memories that I treasure:</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: &quot;Quattrocento Sans&quot;, sans-serif;">&nbsp;My mom always used&nbsp;to buy me a tin of Quality Street Chocolates. I miss that small gift more than anything.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: &quot;Quattrocento Sans&quot;, sans-serif;">One year we had a storm that knocked the power out so I cooked the turkey on the BBQ until it came back on.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Not my memory but a family story&nbsp;that one year a massive storm stopped all travel and my&nbsp;grandfather went to the local bus station and invited everyone who was stuck there to the house for Christmas dinner. I admire that more than anything- he was the most generous person I knew</span></li><li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Ed and making ornaments for our own first Christmas tree. We had no money so this was all we could do. I still have many of them and they go on the tree.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">The first Christmas I had Irish at home in my very own barn.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>3. Are there special traditions your family has for Christmas?</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Other than eating and Wii tournament, not really. Of course there's always me sending Ed back to the grocery store for <i>one more item</i>- that's&nbsp;becoming a thing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>4. What's your Christmas wish?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">No idea really. An indoor? Peace on earth? To have&nbsp;everything be ready at the same time for dinner?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>5. What's your favourite Christmas dish?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Um,&nbsp;everything. I make Cinnamon buns for the morning (oh wait, maybe that's a tradition?).&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>6. What's your favourite Christmas Decoration?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">I have so many special ornaments it's hard to choose. I have old ones that were my in-laws,&nbsp;ones for my children's first Christmas etc. I always try to pick up an&nbsp;ornament when I travel so I can remember. Essentially decorating the tree is a trip down memory lane. I just ordered these and they arrived:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvJIU71WGo8/Wj6hv7mybfI/AAAAAAAAKDU/5LcOSDavMrIPD-Y9BYpGq-p6IpH-md1eACLcBGAs/s1600/dog%2Bornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvJIU71WGo8/Wj6hv7mybfI/AAAAAAAAKDU/5LcOSDavMrIPD-Y9BYpGq-p6IpH-md1eACLcBGAs/s320/dog%2Bornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Made by a friend out of clay it's Guinness and d'Arcy. I love them. Next year I will order ones of the horses.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>7. What's your favourite Christmas Song?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Hard to choose. I have always loved 'Oh come all ye faithful' and 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas' but it's&nbsp;probably Snoopy's Christmas song'</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">8. <i>Where do you usually celebrate Christmas?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">At home. It's hard&nbsp;to leave with the horses so I try to stay home. Every now and then I think it would be fun to go to my sisters to see the chaos or to go south. Anyone want to spend christmas in a farm house with just a few animals&nbsp;to look after?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">9. <i>What does Christmas Spirit mean to you?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">Loaded question, but for me it's less about the religious aspect and more about the kindness. I hate hearing people complain about how much work it is- do less. Honestly, if it's not fun don't bother. No one wants to spend Christmas with a martyr.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">10. <i>&nbsp;Who would you want to spend Christmas with?&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i>My family. And the ones I've lost.&nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">I'm going to follow the rules and nominate three bloggers but only do it if you want. Do not feel obligated!</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Emma at&nbsp;<a href="http://fraidycateventing.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://fraidycateventing.blogspot.ca</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Annette at&nbsp;<a href="https://aspenmeadows.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">https://aspenmeadows.blogspot.ca</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, sans-serif;">3. Olivia at&nbsp;<a href="https://diyhorseownership.com/" target="_blank">https://diyhorseownership.com</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Merry Christmas everyone.&nbsp;</div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-64197991860472723492017-12-22T11:59:00.000-04:002017-12-22T11:59:14.634-04:00Domestic GoddessingThe weather has turned cold and bitter. Which I guess is fair since it's winter. But any riding has come to an abrupt halt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7PInl0w4h4/Wj0jNZk51oI/AAAAAAAAKCc/H0v1uPDx5NsVIh8VsmnIG6QIXmDJfyOswCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Btrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7PInl0w4h4/Wj0jNZk51oI/AAAAAAAAKCc/H0v1uPDx5NsVIh8VsmnIG6QIXmDJfyOswCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Btrot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not ready to stop&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>There's nothing I can do about it and I'm <i>pretty</i>&nbsp;sure that Santa is not going to bring me an indoor for Christmas no matter how good I've been.<br /><br />The horses stand outside at the hay feeder and eat all day. I am sure that they are muttering about the 1.5"holes in the net. Irish can eat with attitude! I've cut Carmen's feed and hay since she's not in work and she is not taking it well at all. Last night we had a chat about what is an appropriate way to express her emotions about this and what is not. I suspect we will have this conversation again.<br /><br />Guinness is getting a lot of walks which he's enjoying quite a bit.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxkxJUPdW7Y/Wj0k_5xAAiI/AAAAAAAAKC0/zlSa5MrkEI8OGFY4i6w5sdsuGKRmfIN9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxkxJUPdW7Y/Wj0k_5xAAiI/AAAAAAAAKC0/zlSa5MrkEI8OGFY4i6w5sdsuGKRmfIN9wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">someone has figured out the warm place to lay while he waits for me to be finished</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On the up side I am more ready for Christmas then I have been in years. All the presents are wrapped and placed under the tree.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5iwFTCrxeQ/Wj0k9D79G8I/AAAAAAAAKCs/ZPZqafJaryQE-t9MKin_k2zp9rbCJXycQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5iwFTCrxeQ/Wj0k9D79G8I/AAAAAAAAKCs/ZPZqafJaryQE-t9MKin_k2zp9rbCJXycQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who is this woman?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year a blogger posted a recipe for candy cane bark but I can't remember who (Hawk maybe?). Anyway, I've been playing with the recipe this year.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5u2qKefUNn8/Wj0k_avq-yI/AAAAAAAAKCw/F66jnowv5bgkrDNaV8JL1df4ikHx963oACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5u2qKefUNn8/Wj0k_avq-yI/AAAAAAAAKCw/F66jnowv5bgkrDNaV8JL1df4ikHx963oACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dark chocolate, salted caramel with milk chocolate drizzled on top</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I find myself googling 'things to do with candied ginger'.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part of it is my free time. The other part is that I am really looking forward to this Christmas. the last few ones have not been great- there's been a shadow thrown by death and illness the past few years. This year I feel in a good place and I want to make the most of it. Snow might be coming so I can snow shoe.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have times you can't ride because of the weather? What do you do instead?&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-91960135011176564982017-12-19T20:20:00.000-04:002017-12-19T20:20:01.569-04:00Holiday Hijinks<div style="text-align: left;">Me:&nbsp;<i>Come on guys, it's time for our Christmas Photo Shoot!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPf5OKO9IoY/WjhLeLn023I/AAAAAAAAJ-c/uNZowpvon4QbRRC37lQovWahZeyWKfsaQCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPf5OKO9IoY/WjhLeLn023I/AAAAAAAAJ-c/uNZowpvon4QbRRC37lQovWahZeyWKfsaQCLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bstick%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Guinness: <i>What's a photo shoot? Does it involve sticks? Because I have a great one!&nbsp;</i></div><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkVK6jZbveA/WjhLdcF8HII/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/8SFVBP6j0r48dFm5oZAzGGCJAQFXYzKjQCLcBGAs/s1600/darcy2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkVK6jZbveA/WjhLdcF8HII/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/8SFVBP6j0r48dFm5oZAzGGCJAQFXYzKjQCLcBGAs/s320/darcy2_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">d'Arcy: <i>Maybe if I don't make eye contact.....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ng3Uh1G2SQ/WjhMxWd7IUI/AAAAAAAAJ-o/Xxcpywc4R58--Q6qZaYCUqFogBhDSnWMwCLcBGAs/s1600/irish%2Band%2Bcarmen%2Bsnow%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ng3Uh1G2SQ/WjhMxWd7IUI/AAAAAAAAJ-o/Xxcpywc4R58--Q6qZaYCUqFogBhDSnWMwCLcBGAs/s320/irish%2Band%2Bcarmen%2Bsnow%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen: <i>Oh- a camera! I am very photogenic. Let's go.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Irish: <i>Don't fall for it- it's a trap</i></div><br />Me: <i>Martin? Chester? Where are you?</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>***crickets***</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuCgcQmtiY/WjhNspIKh0I/AAAAAAAAJ-0/KA_X2DJ0V7UwCeCmDpBPqC03qlbnVVidQCLcBGAs/s1600/darcy_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSuCgcQmtiY/WjhNspIKh0I/AAAAAAAAJ-0/KA_X2DJ0V7UwCeCmDpBPqC03qlbnVVidQCLcBGAs/s320/darcy_edited-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">d'Arcy: <i>I really think I'm too old for this.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyAFRN6jZYo/WjhOJ9CaMiI/AAAAAAAAJ_E/rBnqXnl3ph0SBmKXBHs-UvCzy5kDQ2fSwCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness2%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IyAFRN6jZYo/WjhOJ9CaMiI/AAAAAAAAJ_E/rBnqXnl3ph0SBmKXBHs-UvCzy5kDQ2fSwCLcBGAs/s320/guinness2%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Guinness: <i>This is boring. Where's my stick?&nbsp;</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;Me: <i>You look adorable d'Arcy. Please do it for me.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzMA4liVgL8/WjhNq2Qdv6I/AAAAAAAAJ-w/mHdTqM2onCEttIVbaDj08mMFQCJvySAxQCLcBGAs/s1600/darcy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzMA4liVgL8/WjhNq2Qdv6I/AAAAAAAAJ-w/mHdTqM2onCEttIVbaDj08mMFQCJvySAxQCLcBGAs/s320/darcy1.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div>d'Arcy: <i>Ok, but don't show any other border collies- I'll be a laughing stock.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pac8Q2hdj4I/WjhOCYqA4XI/AAAAAAAAJ-8/_b6CsbgD2A8hcURddKOKCtFw9AwFh5WdgCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bsnow2%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pac8Q2hdj4I/WjhOCYqA4XI/AAAAAAAAJ-8/_b6CsbgD2A8hcURddKOKCtFw9AwFh5WdgCLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bsnow2%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Guinness: <i>STICKS ARE MORE FUN THAN PHOTO SHOOTS!</i><br /><br />Me: <i>GET BACK HERE YOUNG MAN!&nbsp;</i><br /><br />Guinness: <i>*whine*</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>Okay, try to look festive.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXxodZ0LbB8/WjhO1q0mDGI/AAAAAAAAJ_M/XdOb1ykdv7sxCHsJi3-dzKni0UCDJ2A9QCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXxodZ0LbB8/WjhO1q0mDGI/AAAAAAAAJ_M/XdOb1ykdv7sxCHsJi3-dzKni0UCDJ2A9QCLcBGAs/s320/guinness.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />Guinness:&nbsp;<i>This is my festive face</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>I guess I can live with that.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANw23DU9XuY/WjheyKsGqOI/AAAAAAAAKA0/0sjtEsh5NS8v-e64j7wJlrOTXSoJOzK6gCLcBGAs/s1600/guinness%2Bsnow%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANw23DU9XuY/WjheyKsGqOI/AAAAAAAAKA0/0sjtEsh5NS8v-e64j7wJlrOTXSoJOzK6gCLcBGAs/s320/guinness%2Bsnow%2Bsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Guinness: <i>&nbsp;Okay, back to the important stuff- STICKS</i><br /><br />Me: <i>Okay, that's the dogs, now for the horses.....</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lESCZQWgZM/WjhQlFfwf4I/AAAAAAAAJ_c/HkiPriOpw7wwTIy2uCsVbo2EiKCeYv2IwCLcBGAs/s1600/irish%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lESCZQWgZM/WjhQlFfwf4I/AAAAAAAAJ_c/HkiPriOpw7wwTIy2uCsVbo2EiKCeYv2IwCLcBGAs/s320/irish%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br />Irish:<i>&nbsp;You put silly antlers on my head but&nbsp;you can't make me like it.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_W_OJM6bI/WjhR5ILKHgI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/dQvD_F_fIGg-_QLxNlBiV0ogmqW2PoDGgCLcBGAs/s1600/irish2%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_W_OJM6bI/WjhR5ILKHgI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/dQvD_F_fIGg-_QLxNlBiV0ogmqW2PoDGgCLcBGAs/s320/irish2%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><i><br /></i>Irish: <i>&nbsp;do I hear a cat snickering?&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>For a horse that requires so much maintenance from me you could do this ONE THING.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Irish: <i>Oh, sure, play the guilt card. How's this:&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu4Dy1q0lZo/WjhR6BSlpzI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/9NQUZ68wrOsJ_xoCe9NrYuPC3GrjtsgUACEwYBhgL/s1600/irish%2Bllama_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu4Dy1q0lZo/WjhR6BSlpzI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/9NQUZ68wrOsJ_xoCe9NrYuPC3GrjtsgUACEwYBhgL/s320/irish%2Bllama_edited-1.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>Me: <i>You look like a llama reindeer.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Irish: <i>But I'm smiling. What more do you want?&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>Try again.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YttedV8u2j0/WjhR6LeokwI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/TE225UN0L0k_Ya98yrQUeNR98pG4jTc0QCEwYBhgL/s1600/irish3%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YttedV8u2j0/WjhR6LeokwI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/TE225UN0L0k_Ya98yrQUeNR98pG4jTc0QCEwYBhgL/s320/irish3%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><i><br /></i>Me<i>: This is perfect.&nbsp;</i>*<i>click*</i><br /><i><br /></i>Irish: <i>Where's my carrot?</i><br /><i><br /></i>Carmen: <i>It's my turn! Here's my sultry look</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oo_Fr9q_TY/WjhTU5jP7nI/AAAAAAAAKAE/1CMfpBcO6zEyRJXgxMCATNqcVGvV_4SJQCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen2%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oo_Fr9q_TY/WjhTU5jP7nI/AAAAAAAAKAE/1CMfpBcO6zEyRJXgxMCATNqcVGvV_4SJQCLcBGAs/s320/carmen2%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: <i>ummm, well it's very , um, exotic but not really Christmassy. Try for less 'dramatic-spanish-mare' and more angelic.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen: <i>Okay, here's what I call my 'Downton Abbey' look:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTQdrGgbHyo/WjhTTl4YRBI/AAAAAAAAKAA/SwgyDP4rtgIBEqjU1vd2zSOoqQbjXYMLwCLcBGAs/s1600/carmen%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTQdrGgbHyo/WjhTTl4YRBI/AAAAAAAAKAA/SwgyDP4rtgIBEqjU1vd2zSOoqQbjXYMLwCLcBGAs/s320/carmen%2Bsmall.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div>Me: <i>I love it!&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Okay, now who am I missing...Oh right the cats!&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>Martin- there you are. Not sure why I'm surprised this is where you spend winter!&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Martin:&nbsp;<i>You woke me for this?&nbsp;</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUiZ0fWFALY/WjhUXPoqt4I/AAAAAAAAKAg/degaSwRWx7U545jF2WhtmbvrsQFC_69-QCLcBGAs/s1600/martin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUiZ0fWFALY/WjhUXPoqt4I/AAAAAAAAKAg/degaSwRWx7U545jF2WhtmbvrsQFC_69-QCLcBGAs/s320/martin1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: So...h<i>ow about we try for a look that is a bit less murderous?&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q7pVQFPQbk/WjhUVyHxeyI/AAAAAAAAKAc/AC-hoi_M1RoHqbmtGzXCxAC_QM-8FBXwQCLcBGAs/s1600/martin%2Bpissed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q7pVQFPQbk/WjhUVyHxeyI/AAAAAAAAKAc/AC-hoi_M1RoHqbmtGzXCxAC_QM-8FBXwQCLcBGAs/s320/martin%2Bpissed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Martin: <i>This is the best I can do, take it or leave it.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>uh, I'll take it!&nbsp;</i><br />Martin<i>: Good call. Now go bug the fluffy squirt. zzzz</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QX-xi1RxWQ/WjhUR0gSxOI/AAAAAAAAKAY/uSOjNQpMPDofytifVt6_B-mPGEaC9UyUQCLcBGAs/s1600/chester%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QX-xi1RxWQ/WjhUR0gSxOI/AAAAAAAAKAY/uSOjNQpMPDofytifVt6_B-mPGEaC9UyUQCLcBGAs/s320/chester%2B1.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chester: <i>I'm no expert but I don't think that this is right.&nbsp;</i></div><i><br /></i>Me: <i>Your neck is too small,</i> l<i>et me try again.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hudRTHFQGzs/WjhfVxfwPBI/AAAAAAAAKA8/_hZ3GfhXB58YawkMIrMjO3IfvZWJ_EDYgCLcBGAs/s1600/chester2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hudRTHFQGzs/WjhfVxfwPBI/AAAAAAAAKA8/_hZ3GfhXB58YawkMIrMjO3IfvZWJ_EDYgCLcBGAs/s320/chester2.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chester: <i>I kind of hate you right now.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: <i>You can't do that- it's almost Christmas- a time of love and forgiveness.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chester: <i>I think I can work up just a bit of Christmas spirit but don't tell Martin.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9l-m2KSfUVk/WjhfWvi3ylI/AAAAAAAAKBA/6MqOXZD8IY0UazBWyCaCuy4BR4_916XEQCLcBGAs/s1600/chester3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9l-m2KSfUVk/WjhfWvi3ylI/AAAAAAAAKBA/6MqOXZD8IY0UazBWyCaCuy4BR4_916XEQCLcBGAs/s320/chester3.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div>Me: <i>That is an awesome pose. Thank you!&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>Me: <i>That's a wrap.&nbsp;I can't believe how exhausted I am. Now to just pull it all together.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>******</i><br />several hours later<br />******<br /><br />Me: <i>Okay everyone are you ready?</i><br /><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;Ta-dah!</span></b></i></div><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny4FARCURZc/WjhkWW3hpVI/AAAAAAAAKBY/xOBrLFAQiqQb2Kzx0KvGGe8p49KasVHwgCLcBGAs/s1600/card%2B2017%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="380" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny4FARCURZc/WjhkWW3hpVI/AAAAAAAAKBY/xOBrLFAQiqQb2Kzx0KvGGe8p49KasVHwgCLcBGAs/s640/card%2B2017%2Bsmall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Irish: <i>Well I guess it's okay. Why is that cat riding me?</i><br />Martin: <i>This card would be nothing without me.&nbsp;</i><br />Carmen: <i>Shouldn't I be in the centre?</i><br />Guinness: <i>Where's my stick? It needs more sticks.</i><br />Chester: <i>I do look adorable.</i><br />d'Arcy: <i>Border collies don't read your blog do they?</i><br /><br />Me: c'mon guys- let's say it all together:<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANNUKAH, HAPPY KWANZAA, HAPPY SATURNALIA. "</span></h2>Or Whatever it is that you celebrate. May it be filled with love and laughter and light.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><br /><i><br /></i>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-81298327346548814872017-12-17T21:07:00.000-04:002017-12-17T21:07:20.627-04:00Winter WonderlandI didn't ride Carmen at all last week. Between weather, work, my medical tests and her teeth appointment it just wasn't happening. I had hoped to ride with Cynthia on Saturday but we had bitter cold and snow so we went Christmas shopping and had lunch out instead. After she left the weather markedly improved but I was home all alone and I thought that given the bolt last week I probably should have someone around.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>I took the dogs for a walk and I realized that the snow was powdery and perfect footing for riding. I sent a text to Ashley inviting her to come on Sunday to play. She was game and brought along Julia. The sun was shining and it was a lovely winter day except that it -5 celcius, with the wind the windchill was much colder. I thought that we might be crazy but it was still too good a chance to pass up. I put on some layers and we got the horses ready.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Both of them were full of <strike>piss and vinegar</strike>&nbsp;energy and enthusiasm. Carmen was definitely tight but I put my whole attention on keeping her attention on me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cdxpe6NlfA/WjcPzpnxMTI/AAAAAAAAJ98/M4NIG5tjw_g52S07PaCtXqKiaOwJrIadQCLcBGAs/s1600/pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cdxpe6NlfA/WjcPzpnxMTI/AAAAAAAAJ98/M4NIG5tjw_g52S07PaCtXqKiaOwJrIadQCLcBGAs/s320/pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>AS we were riding Shanea came by to visit (not teach but I'm hoping that she can soon). She gave some good advice for us which was essentially inside bend and ride forward. I was struggling to not ride defensively given last week but I wasn't horrible.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zg8_EnV0uDU/WjcPoq1CKUI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/niAYljsrr34yD7RZlgRTNEtT--faz5mvACEwYBhgL/s1600/carmen%2Bpassage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zg8_EnV0uDU/WjcPoq1CKUI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/niAYljsrr34yD7RZlgRTNEtT--faz5mvACEwYBhgL/s320/carmen%2Bpassage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At some point at this will be a passage, right now it's really just prancing.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;But she didn't bolt. Or even give a big spook. I could feel a real difference with the contact since getting her teeth done. I do think that this added to the issues I was having because today felt more like our normal excitement.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WM2FJgeE4O8/WjcP1T9iL3I/AAAAAAAAJ-E/ptaN-MdSA_4MljwutDlN7FbLNbdTdwiJACEwYBhgL/s1600/carmen%2Btrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WM2FJgeE4O8/WjcP1T9iL3I/AAAAAAAAJ-E/ptaN-MdSA_4MljwutDlN7FbLNbdTdwiJACEwYBhgL/s320/carmen%2Btrot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;I love riding in the first snow- the tracks are so fresh and the horses really pick up their feet.<br />Today was not about schooling anything- it was just about playing in the snow and enjoying the time.<br /><br />Look at Irish having a ball. I need to do a post on some positive things about him that have been happening.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0CYcw5yDj4/WjcPwAvUPTI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/0Gb2qNrT6KgRepKlp643vxP5ClGkmecBACEwYBhgL/s1600/irish%2Band%2Bcarmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0CYcw5yDj4/WjcPwAvUPTI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/0Gb2qNrT6KgRepKlp643vxP5ClGkmecBACEwYBhgL/s320/irish%2Band%2Bcarmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Shanea drew a heart in the snow at one point.&nbsp;<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HK34vJ41iS8/WjcPPA2LxwI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/Ob7mR9MDM3MVT55nPzmHtOg3IGgeVWiTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/carmen%2Bheart2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HK34vJ41iS8/WjcPPA2LxwI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/Ob7mR9MDM3MVT55nPzmHtOg3IGgeVWiTgCEwYBhgL/s320/carmen%2Bheart2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Despite the cold I was toasty and warm.<br /><br />The footing under the snow was nice and solid. I didn't mean in my last post to indicate in anyway that my missing Steele meant that Carmen was not my heart horse. In many ways we really suit each other.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1MG837KJ4/WjcPDl_gvVI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/j8aT8p8HxQcno_1EjKeXUBch_NYXJgdRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/carmen%2Bheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1MG837KJ4/WjcPDl_gvVI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/j8aT8p8HxQcno_1EjKeXUBch_NYXJgdRwCEwYBhgL/s320/carmen%2Bheart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she has helped me reconstruct my heart.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div>After riding we went for a little hack in the woods. The horses were up but really well behaved. After &nbsp;Ash, Julia and I warmed our hands and bodies with some hot chocolate.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was a cold but magical day and just what Carmen and I &nbsp;needed. I hope it was good for Ashley and Irish too.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRuHKlOsWl8/WjcPRfwae0I/AAAAAAAAJ9w/EGN05k9okk4WnPTYX9qHxFNbj4uYj6R2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/carmen%2Band%2Birish%2Bstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRuHKlOsWl8/WjcPRfwae0I/AAAAAAAAJ9w/EGN05k9okk4WnPTYX9qHxFNbj4uYj6R2ACEwYBhgL/s320/carmen%2Band%2Birish%2Bstand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-68722469854356142112017-12-14T19:18:00.003-04:002017-12-14T19:18:54.813-04:00Rambling Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sorry guys this is a rambling post, feel free to disregard.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In light of my recent struggles with Carmen and some observations at dinner time I began to wonder if her teeth were bothering her. At 7 years she is at an age where her teeth change a lot. I called and left a message for my vet to book an appointment. It's always tricky with sensitive horses to know when it's 'just' behaviour and when it might have &nbsp;a physical cause.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg4e6aL1qFs/VmwmcyfvRpI/AAAAAAAAHlM/9NXfmrFuS_Q/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg4e6aL1qFs/VmwmcyfvRpI/AAAAAAAAHlM/9NXfmrFuS_Q/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot believe that it's been 3 years</td></tr></tbody></table><br />With the lesson's learned from <a href="http://journeywithadancinghorse.blogspot.ca/2016/12/resilience.html" target="_blank">last year</a>&nbsp;I realized that would need to have a plan around today. So when I was given today as a date for a medical test I decided to accept it. My father passed away from colon cancer so every so many years I have to go through a colonoscopy. I don't mind the test as much as the prep (I HATE to be hungry). Then my vet returned my call and said he could come on Thursday around lunch time. By then I figured that the universe was arranging my day and I should go with it.<br /><br />On Wednesday in the morning I dropped Guinness off at the vet's for her neutering and then Ed and I went and picked out our Christmas tree. &nbsp;It was pouring rain the whole day and we wanted the tree to dry before we put it up.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/25152407_10156060892283593_8211735786741591789_n.jpg?oh=b883ec68136e37fd0ef6561e09357052&amp;oe=5AC7EE67" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/25152407_10156060892283593_8211735786741591789_n.jpg?oh=b883ec68136e37fd0ef6561e09357052&amp;oe=5AC7EE67" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sad, drugged puppy showing me how his ears don't fit in the fiendish contraption</td></tr></tbody></table>Ed rearranged his whole week so he could be close by me yesterday and today. He never did anything overt or obvious but he was there.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>The test this morning went fine but after I had a reaction- I suddenly found myself feeling really nauseous and dizzy. The nurse came right over. My blood pressure dropped and they couldn't find a second number no matter how often they took it- it just showed as a '??'. My heart rate was 38. My normal blood pressure and heart rate is low but that was a bit much. After an I.V. I began to feel a lot better. I texted Ed to come and pick me up and to bring food. He asked what I wanted and I couldn't really think of anything so I asked for a cinnamon bun and fries- &nbsp;I might not have been totally recovered by then.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>When the vet came I described some of the things I had noticed. I felt a bit like an idiot because it really was just a hunch. &nbsp;But when he looked in he found points and a really nasty one on the very back molar. He said that it would be painful. So I'm wondering if that has been playing a role in her reactivity. We shall see. After he left I had a nap and then began to decorate the tree.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Ed commented that I was doing very well today. And he is right. I felt far more in control of myself then last year. Obviously time helps one to heal. Another factor is a dream I had a few days ago. I often have lucid dreams and this one was particularly strong.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was walking in the woods and met with Steele. I hopped onto him and rode him for a while through the woods. I do not know how long. After a a bit I dismounted and gave him a hug. He walked off into the forest and I woke up, feeling sad and comforted all at the same time.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I find myself in a place where I can remember and feel both sad and happy at the same time. Maybe I'm growing up. Maybe.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LnZpuBuB1I/WjMF3Z-PwZI/AAAAAAAAJ9E/nQA9dcavnPIMIfMpTXrEXj4k_CJtvDggQCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LnZpuBuB1I/WjMF3Z-PwZI/AAAAAAAAJ9E/nQA9dcavnPIMIfMpTXrEXj4k_CJtvDggQCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-40934748222060094952017-12-11T21:30:00.000-04:002017-12-11T21:30:19.629-04:00Micromanagement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5286828ae4b08b83ea176e95/t/56b8f25862cd94ec072e9bd0/1454961269839/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5286828ae4b08b83ea176e95/t/56b8f25862cd94ec072e9bd0/1454961269839/" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My day job is as a manager in Health care. I pride myself that I am not a micromanager. I believe that people know their jobs and often know the best way to get it done. In keeping with my Star Trek metaphors I am more of a Picard:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/cardfight/images/9/97/Star-trek-make-it-so-450x270.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160325065605" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="450" height="192" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/cardfight/images/9/97/Star-trek-make-it-so-450x270.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160325065605" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I tend to take that approach to many things, including riding. It's not like I am not involved or give direction but, rightly or wrongly, I don't naturally try to guide every single step. I think a horse in trot should be able to carry forward in trot without nagging from me.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>After the close encounter with the grouse my ride the next day was fabulous. Carmen was with me the whole time and I was very pleased with her. I kept the schooling short and sweet.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday was raw and cold. I was waffling about riding but decided that I would regret not riding so I put on some warm layers and got Carmen ready. In the ring she was a bit tight but really not noticeably different then every other day. After getting a relaxed walk I warmed up the trot and then asked her to pick up a canter.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>We were cantering through troll corner when suddenly she jumped sideways, then leaped forward and we were in full-on bolt. I could not get her to slow up. I did not say 'whoa' and I don't know why- in the moment it completely left my brain. Instead I got into a half-seat and steered her through a circle making it smaller and smaller until I could get her stopped. It felt like minutes but probably wasn't.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I took a deep breath and forced my heart back into my chest. That was a job in itself- my heart had clearly determined to find a new home. One where the person realized that she was on the other side of middle age and had taken up more sedate hobbies. Like knitting or cat collecting.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn1.jigidi.com/thumbs/R68D4N9I/l" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="524" height="213" src="https://cdn1.jigidi.com/thumbs/R68D4N9I/l" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I took a deep breath and went back to work. With a decidedly shorter rein. I have no idea what startled her but suspect it was the grass rustling. I was not getting off.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I put her back to work asking her to bend and listen. She did another bolt int he same location which I &nbsp;expected and was ready. I pulled her into a one rein stop. Or I tried. We actually were cantering a 5 metre circle. I gave her enough rein to not fall over (and I hoped fervently that that wouldn't happen) but was not letting go. She was NOT carting me across the ring again.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It started to spit rain and that turned to ice pellets.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't care. My ass was in the saddle and I was staying there.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I essentially went into micro-manage mode where I was controlling where all of her body parts were. At times it was downright ugly. I still didn't care. There was nothing there to cause the spooking (well nothing that wasn't <i>always</i>&nbsp;there). We were schooling goddamn it. Which makes me sound angry and I wasn't . I was a bit flustered, definitely frustrated by not angry and my emotions were under control.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>More and more her ears were flicking back to listen to me. More and more as I put a leg on to ask her to bend or move over or leg yield or shoulder in she listened. When she stiffened and/or ignored the aid I made it stronger until she yielded.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I was bit brought down by the ups and downs of our rides lately. I do know that Carmen is used to me backing off when she gets really agitated and I am trying to change that conversation. Sometimes that means I am engaging more in horse shouting then whispering. And if you want to lecture me about that come on over and I'll put you on her. So much of riding is feeling the moment and trying to give the horse what they need even if they don't know what that is. Parenting was very similar.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I had been truly frightened by what happened. My first thought was that Carmen had never done that before. My second was that she had but I was usually off by the second leap. I stewed on it for a bit and sent a text to Karen (my life coach whether she wants to be or not):&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LG8TgjOUkQc/Wi8wlr-iOHI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/vhQwoCtE52EYvvPpvTNyS7umAMXX-wm7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-12-11%2Bat%2B9.26.43%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="1600" height="99" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LG8TgjOUkQc/Wi8wlr-iOHI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/vhQwoCtE52EYvvPpvTNyS7umAMXX-wm7gCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-12-11%2Bat%2B9.26.43%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After reading that I felt better. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But I really like straight lines.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459505622378142466.post-90749786779131924242017-12-09T12:46:00.000-04:002017-12-09T12:48:43.173-04:00The Adventures of Teresa and Carmen: In Which we Meet a GrouseThere's a Grouse that lives in our woods. I know because I have startled it a few times walking the dogs. In keeping with Grouse behaviour is waits until we are just on top of it and then takes off in a loud flurry of flaps. It's quite alarming.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4033/4700153681_05438094d3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="800" height="255" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4033/4700153681_05438094d3_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are pretty</td></tr></tbody></table>I have often wondered what would happen if/when Carmen and I encountered it.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/82/12/e8/8212e8494dc75c6143f4ff4d973187ce--animal-humor-horse-drawings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="382" height="308" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/82/12/e8/8212e8494dc75c6143f4ff4d973187ce--animal-humor-horse-drawings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is pretty much how I pictured it going down</td></tr></tbody></table>On Saturday at 12:15 I had the chance to find out.<br /><div><br /></div><div>But first let me back up a bit&nbsp;</div><div>(cheap ploy to build dramatic tension but also to put in context).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>December has been warmer than usual and Thursday was beautiful. When I got hoe from work the sun was shining and it was lovely. I should note that by 'lovely' in Canada I mean about 10 degrees and no wind. If you are dressed properly it's perfect riding weather. I quickly tacked up Carmen and we headed to the ring.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I had one of those wonderful rides where everything is smooth and easy. Carmen was relaxed and forward. She looked at a few things but nothing else. I am getting so impressed with our canter-it's so much straighter and our transitions up and down have improved so much. I put her away feeling really happy with our ride.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday was also lovely. However, that morning there was a large machine coming down the road cutting the brush in the ditch. They were cutting just along the edge of the property (which is too bad because I have lost my privacy hedge).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.limbbeaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_1662-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://www.limbbeaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_1662-1024x576.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not actual machine but very close</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div>The horses seemed to be okay with it so I decided to ride anyway. My farrier was coming that afternoon and I wanted to ride before he came. By the time I was on Carmen the machine was past our property and down the road.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Still, it must have unsettled her enough because she was completely different. She was spooky and bolty. I put on my big girl pants and rode through it all. There ware a couple times when she flatly refused to go into troll corner and I flatly refused to accept that. When she started to back up I gave her a smack and got her forward. It wasn't a battle the whole time. I was able to practice some walk-canter-walk transitions, shoulder-in/haunches-in etc. In the end we were practicing our lengthened trot across the diagonals into the corners. I could really feel her understand about lengthening her frame, not speeding her pace. I did a few free walks into the corners as well without any issue.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So I decided to drop the gate and head out for a small walk in the woods. It would be our first in about a &nbsp;month (hunting season). Carmen was impatient and fidgety at the gate but walked happily enough to the right and around the field. I was prepared to hop off if things got confrontational but she seemed happy enough to stride out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Just as we were coming along the woods and towards the path that goes into the trails the grouse flew up.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Carmen threw up her head and leapt forward about 4 strides. She came right back, let out a big sigh and carried on.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes.</div><div>I know.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>In the woods she was a bit uncertain going through a stream - we've had a lot of rain and the dry stream bed was running. I let her stop and consider the question.&nbsp;</div><div>Carmen: <i>I am not sure it's safe</i></div><div>Me: <i>It's just water moving. It will be fine.&nbsp;</i></div><div>Carmen: <i>But we might get swept away.&nbsp;</i></div><div>Me: <i>It's only a couple inches deep. Trust me.&nbsp;</i></div><div><br /></div><div>And she did. I put my leg on softly and she stepped forward and in. While she didn't freak out she did walk briskly and breathed out when she stepped out. We did the trail and came out by the manure pile. We had to stop and consider the old trailer and shovels. Walking up the hill to the barn I asked her to lower her head and stretch out over her back and she did&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>While I would have liked a less dramatic schooling session in the ring I was happy with how things all worked out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14fdLfGleDw/WiwS9UzgCVI/AAAAAAAAJ8E/iBfQ_Z7A_GwmZUE2pUjO1ssYIOY6bNXoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14fdLfGleDw/WiwS9UzgCVI/AAAAAAAAJ8E/iBfQ_Z7A_GwmZUE2pUjO1ssYIOY6bNXoQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5266.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I heard you cutting up apple pieces.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div>(if you want to see a fabulous drawing of a pheasant and horse meeting go here<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmilyColeIllustrations/photos/a.524410737573083.134429.486917897989034/1921102064570603/?type=3&amp;theater" target="_blank">Emily Cole's illustrations</a>)<br /><div><br /><br /></div></div><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>TeresaAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.com18